Disney Studios is the reigning powerhouse of the entertainment industry and the competition is not even close. They have broken box office records with the success of MCU and the Star Wars franchise, as well as exceeding expectations with their newly launched “Disney+” which premiered late last year.
But as the saying in a famous Marvel movie goes, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Whether it be through 2018’s Black Panther and the impact it created on the black community or through a gay lead character who debuted in the animated short “Out” which aired last May, Disney Studios does not shy away from empowering different cultural identities by showcasing them in their storylines.
So it comes as no surprise that Disney is announcing that lead character Luz Noceda in the new series “The Owl House” is the studio’s first bisexual character. The series is one of the newest Disney TV series which debuted earlier this year in January.
Series creator Dana Terrace tweeted earlier this month, “In development, I was very open about my intention to put queer kids in the main cast.” Disney originally rejected this idea. “When we were greenlit I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could NOT represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the Channel,” said Terrace.
In dev I was very open about my intention to put queer kids in the main cast. I’m a horrible liar so sneaking it in would’ve been hard haha. When we were greenlit I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could NOT represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the Channel.
— Dana Terrace (@DanaTerrace) August 9, 2020
After Terrace insisted on the direction that she wanted her character to take—the new Disney leadership gave the go signal to push through with it and gave her more creative freedom on the show.
“I’m bi! I want to write a bi character, dammit! Luckily my stubbornness paid off and now I am VERY supported by current Disney leadership. (Thank you @NashRiskin and team!) Not to mention the amazingness of this crew,” Terrace added.
I’m bi! I want to write a bi character, dammit! Luckily my stubbornness paid off and now I am VERY supported by current Disney leadership. (Thank you @NashRiskin and team!) Not to mention the amazingness of this crew.
— Dana Terrace (@DanaTerrace) August 9, 2020
“Representation matters!” the creator continued saying. “Always fight to make what YOU want to see!”
Representation matters! Always fight to make what YOU want to see! As OH continues I can’t wait to explore things that are important to me and my crew. Looking forward to the next chapter. 🦉💕
…Which is next week in WING IT LIKE WITCHES!
Thank you for watching! #TheOwlHouse pic.twitter.com/U8PHHT2g91— Dana Terrace (@DanaTerrace) August 9, 2020
The Owl House has been renewed for a second season, and many will be eager to see the direction the series will take with its lead character, but will this also be the start of a new trend that Disney will continue in the future? Regardless of their plans, it is very admirable to see Disney using their platform to represent many communities that barely get the spotlight in cartoon shows, let alone on TV and Film.
POP! Creator Community / Jose Rafael Santamaria