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Ellen Pompeo Sparks Representation Debate After Being Cast As Woman With Hearing Loss In New TV Series
In the show, Not a Sound, Pompeo will portray Amelia Winn, an ER nurse who lost her hearing in a hit-and-run accident. The show is based on the novel by Heather Gudenkauf.
The story center's on Winn's discoveries about what actually happened in the accident, which arrive via a shocking twist.
But the announcement of the show hasn't gone over well with many who feel that a character with hearing loss should be played by an actor with the same condition.
As one person on X put it:
"A hearing person playing a deaf/HOH [hard of hearing] character 🤦🏻♀️"
"There are so many deaf/HOH actors that could have wonderfully played that role."
Pompeo, at least as far as the public knows, does not struggle with hearing issues. And given that hearing loss and deafness are protected disabilities, many feel that a person with the actual disability should portray it.
There is of course a dearth of roles onscreen for disabled actors, and when they do come up, they are often given to big-name actors with no experience with the disability.
This is certainly not a new conversation, especially with respect to hearing disabilities. Oscar-winning deaf actor Marlee Matlin has spoken openly about her experiences in Hollywood with how the casting system tends to treat deafness.
During the press run for the 2021 film CODA, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2022 and in which Matlin played a deaf mother, Matlin described being passed over for the lead in Jane Campion's Oscar-winning The Piano in 1993.
Matlin said Campion told her she was perfect for the lead role of Ada, a nonverbal woman, but that audiences would find Matlin's deafness distracting.
She also discussed having once lost out on a role portraying a deaf character after it went to a hearing actor, only for her to then be asked by producers to consult on the film to teach the actor "how to be deaf."
Given all this history and the way disabled actors are routinely passed over in Hollywood, many people are very angry about Pompeo's next role.
People on Reddit were uncomfortable with the casting choice as well. One user wrote:
"This may be an unpopular opinion but she shouldn’t be playing a Deaf person in her new role. There are so many D/HH actors who could easily play the role." —u/No-Needleworker1401
To which another Redditor replied:
"This is how I felt when I read it. Why not cast a deaf or hearing impaired person instead of a hearing person for this role 😡"—u/drv687
The counterpoint some have brought up is that Pompeo's character is only recently hard of hearing, unlike actors such as Marlee Matlin who were born deaf, for instance.
As another person on Reddit pointed out:
"Problem is that she’s apparently just became deaf - she’s not gonna know how to be culturally Deaf within that 5 mins of being deaf."
"She’s still a hearing person that just lost their hearing, so she’s gonna behave in a hearing manner..." —u/OnlyQOB
But that's not actually a problem: There are actors out there with this same experience.
As an Instagram commenter who lost their hearing in their 40s put it:
"Not all deaf people are deaf from birth—obviously. There are actors who became deaf and HoH actors who have flawless 'hearing' accents who can play a hearing person in a flashback..."
Of course, those actors may not have the name recognition and cache to draw in subscriptions and ad dollars that Pompeo has. TV is, at the end of the day, a business.
Still, the people angry about this are angry about a long-standing problem. As the Instagram user went on to say:
"This is an absolute fail by David Kelley, his production company, Hulu, and Pompeo. WTF! 🤬"
"As someone who became legally deaf in my 40’s (HoH who reads lips) and who is a longtime Greys fan, I will be happily boycotting this show and support the #deafcommunity and any activism they choose to direct at this production. 🧏🏻♀️ 💪🏼 🤟🏼"
How this backlash will impact Not a Sound remains to be seen.
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It Looks Like Trump's Tacky Monument To Himself In DC May Become A Reality—And People Are Truly Disgusted
Despite widespread concerns about the high cost of living and that these renovations are not just in poor taste but a waste of taxpayer funds, Trump has claimed that affordability "doesn't mean a thing to anybody." He went on to accuse Democrats of crafting a “fake narrative” and “con job” to trick the American people into not voting for Republicans.
Now construction of the proposed arch is moving ahead despite several unresolved legal and regulatory issues, with Burgum writing the following on X:
"We are pleased to announce that after a very long wait (over 125 years!), we are preparing to start, over the next two-week period, the excavation work necessary for the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck, at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery."
"This will be one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture, honoring the history and significance of Arlington Cemetery and befitting the most powerful Capital in the World."
You can see what he wrote as well as an artistic rendering of the arch in his post below.
@SecretaryBurgum/X
In a follow-up post, Burgum said the site "remains today a barren traffic circle":
"Despite Congress’s intent, the site became and remains today a barren traffic circle lacking any monumental treatment and significant historic value. In fact, the passage extending from Arlington Memorial Bridge to Arlington National Cemetery was meant to serve as an Avenue of Heroes."
You can see his post below.
Burgum later concluded:
"Over 70 major cities/capitals around the world, from London, Paris and Rome to Madrid, Athens and New Delhi, all showcase beautiful arches. Interestingly, Washington, DC, is the only major Western capital without an arch."
"Now after 125 years of waiting, the most powerful capital in the world will be home of the most spectacular and beautiful arch of them all!"
You can see his post below.
People are disgusted by the tone-deafness of it all.
Burgum's announcement came despite the fact that a lawsuit seeks to halt the project, while critics argue that it requires congressional authorization and has yet to receive final approval from the National Capital Planning Commission. A required historic-preservation review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act also remains outstanding.
The lawsuit includes veterans who argue that the structure would interfere with the historic view between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, including Arlington House, the former Robert E. Lee memorial.
The Justice Department has asked the court to dismiss the case, citing a recent Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for construction of the Trump administration’s East Wing ballroom to proceed.
The National Capital Planning Commission, one of two major federal bodies responsible for reviewing significant changes to government property in Washington, has so far issued only preliminary approval. The commission’s next opportunity to consider final approval is its October 1 monthly meeting.
The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting a separate review because the proposed arch would stand less than two miles from a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
An initial FAA assessment found that the structure would not threaten air safety but recommended installing red obstruction lights to make it more visible to aircraft. Under FAA rules, structures taller than 200 feet that could potentially affect navigable airspace must undergo an aviation review.
'Entourage' Creator Speaks Out After Debi Mazar Claims Set Became 'Toxic' After Birth Of Her 2nd Child
In spite of all its success and popularity, Debi Mazar, who played Shauna Roberts, the publicist of the show's main character, Vince, played by Adrian Grenier, seems to have less than fond memories of her time on the show.
In a recent interview with The Times UK, Mazar disclosed that while filming season one was a "joy fest," things started steadily going downhill from season three onwards.
Mazar described the set by season three as a "testosterone-fueled" environment, going on to declare things were "toxic" by the end of the series' run.
The birth of Mazar's second child, and the effect giving birth had on her body, was what the Batman Forever star believed heavily contributed to the way she was treated on set:
"They didn’t like that I got fat, even though I got skinny again."
"It was complicated because I’m outspoken and never held back my discontent."
While the actor and restaurateur made clear that she was "grateful" to be part of the hit series, she nonetheless couldn't help but say that it was "fun until it wasn't."
Mazar's experience quickly began to gain traction in the press, eventually finding it's way to the show's creator, Doug Ellin, who was anything but sympathetic to Mazar's accusations.
Sharing a Hollywood Reporter story chronicling Mazar's alleged behind-the scenes drama on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Ellin vehemently denied everything Mazar said, going on to call her accusations "disgusting":
Ellin took personal offense to Mazar's claim that she was body-shamed, saying the only two cast members he ever spoke to regarding their bodies were star Grenier and supporting player Jerry Ferrara, with Ellin openly regretting everything he said to the latter:
"Never, ever did myself or anyone that matters care or discuss Debi Mazar’s body."
"I would one million percent embrace any woman who got pregnant."
"The only bodies on the show I ever commented on were Adrian’s ( I wanted him more muscular) and @jerryferrara who I wanted fatter."
"I will forever feel bad about that because I didn’t realize the health implications at the time and now couldn't be happier for Jerry’s transformation."
Since Entourage ended its run in 2011, Ferrara has made headlines for his transformed physique.
Ellin was backed up by many of his followers on X, known to be cesspool of right-wing trolls, many of whom had trouble sympathizing with Mazar speaking out against the show well over a decade after she substantially profited from it:
Some supported Mazar's claims, particularly over on Reddit, with many unsurprised to hear them about a show that glamorized or even defended misogynistic behavior, or sharing how body-shaming women in the industry continues to be an ongoing problem.
"The entire show was toxic and testosterone-filled. Of course the set was, too." —ReaderBeeRottweiler
"Right? This is the least surprising thing I've read in quite some time." —EWC_2015
"I definitely agree, but unfortunately, I don't think her experience would have been much different on other sets. The early to mid 2000s were not a kind era to women in entertainment." —Replicant28
"Existing at the same time as Entourage was toxic." —whereisbeezy
"That really sucks as her character was great." —deepledribitz
"I’m sure that set was peak toxic masculinity, I used to love Pivin in entourage until I found out that wasn’t really a character."
"I fricken love Debi Mazar! I hope she was able to give it back a bit." —Alternative_List_978
Once again, however, Ellin wasn't buying these claims either:
@Doug Ellin/X
Mazar's accusations are not the first headlines to threaten the legacy of the once popular HBO series.
Jeremy Piven, who won three Emmy Awards for playing Vince's agent Ari Gold, and Kevin Connolly, who played Vince's manager Eric "E" Murphy, both faced sexual assault allegations from multiple women after the series ended, with Piven even accused by a background performer on Entourage.
Mazar has yet to comment on Ellin's rebuke of her claims.
'Practical Magic' Star Evan Rachel Wood Reveals Nobody From Original Film Reached Out To Her Before Her Role Was Re-Cast For Sequel
Wood shared her side of the casting story on Instagram:
@evanrachelwood/Instagram
Of course, Wood’s message isn’t entirely shade-free. She also calls attention to the fact that none of her former co-stars reached out after she wasn’t brought back for the sequel.
Drawing in part from Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel, The Book of Magic, the sequel finds Kylie discovering her family’s curse as her own powers begin to emerge.
As for why Wood won’t be along for the ride, the Westworld actor explained:
"I was not asked to come back and be in the Practical Magic sequel. I offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line. I was told they are recasting."
The original Practical Magic became a cult favorite in the years after its release, and excitement around the sequel only grew when Bullock and Nicole Kidman were confirmed to return. In the lead-up to the film’s release, however, fans have complained about the decision to replace Wood and Alexandra Artrip, who originated the roles of Kylie and Antonia.
Wood made it clear she shares fans’ disappointment:
“I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.”
Director Susanne Bier insists there’s no bad blood behind Wood’s recasting. The sequel simply needs a younger Kylie, and de-aging magic apparently wasn’t an option.
From the red carpet premiere, check out her remarks below:
Bier is no stranger to major projects—or major accolades. She became the first female director to win an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, European Film Award, and Primetime Emmy Award, and previously directed Bullock in Netflix’s hit 2018 post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box.
Wood had previously told Entertainment Tonight in July that she “hadn’t had the chance to connect” with King about taking over as Kylie.
She also imagined what a return might have looked like:
“The opportunity to look at that cast and look at that house as an adult and see the history in our eyes.”
You can view more of her interview here:
The Practical Magic fandom was already buzzing over the decision to recast Kylie, and Wood’s latest revelation has given fans even more to talk about.
Magically, the conversation quickly made its way to social media:
Of course, King has found herself right in the middle of the recasting chatter. When some fans went as far as accusing her of “ruining” the sequel by taking over Wood’s role, she wasn’t afraid to enter the conversation.
King had one request for fans skeptical about her casting:
“I know it’s hard sometimes when legacy sequels are made, and casting is different than what certain people envisioned, but I only ask that you open your mind a little and see how much fun I had making it… Being an [Owens] woman is not something I take lightly, and I hope that respect shines through.”
Luckily, there will still be some familiar Owens family magic in the mix. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are returning as aunts Jet and Franny Owens, even as the next generation takes center stage.
Fans can decide whether the new cast works its magic when Practical Magic 2 arrives in theaters on September 11, 2026.
