‘Code of Silence,’ ‘Pulse’ Among Titles to Receive Ruderman Seal

Crime drama series “Code of Silence” and Netflix medical drama “Pulse” are among the five productions that will receive the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Seal of Authentic Representation recognizing TV programs that offer authentic portrayals of characters living with disabilities.

“Especially in close proximity to this year’s Academy Awards, it is crucial to highlight the creators and producers who are opening doors for actors with disabilities and ensuring their stories are told by those who live them,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “We are proud to honor their commitment and we hope their example continues to move the entertainment industry toward a widely adopted standard of authentic representation.”

“Code of Silence,” which airs on BBC Studios’ BritBox streamer, “Pulse,” “Good Bad Things,” “We Might Regret This” and “A Different Man” round out the movie and TV titles that will be recognized. In order to obtain the Ruderman seal, productions must feature actors with disabilities in a speaking role with at least five lines and must be in or close to general release.

In “Code of Silence,” deaf actor Rose Ayling-Ellis plays Alison Woods, a character with the same disability, while in “Pulse,” Jessy Yates, an actor with cerebral palsy, was cast as Harper Simms, a disabled wheelchair user. 

“Ideally casting the role of a character that has a disability with an actor who has a disability is what everyone wants,” said Vickie Thomas, “Pulse” casting director. “It’s not a lack of desire. It’s usually a lack or limited number of choices that can hamper this. I think we were very fortunate and thrilled to find not just a disabled actor but also a good actor in Jessy Yates to play the role of Harper Simms in ‘Pulse.’ Hopefully, her casting inspires other disabled people to consider acting as a career possibility.”

Kyla Harris, an actor with tetraplegia, stars as Freya in Apple TV’s “We Might Regret This.”  “Authentic casting was essential to the honesty of the show. Kyla Harris brought lived experience, humor and creative authority to the role of Freya, shaping the character in ways that only she could,” said Lee Getty, who co-created and co-wrote the show. “Recognition for that approach matters because it reinforces something fundamental: representation means nothing without agency, collaboration and intention.”

Danny Kurtzman, an actor with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, was cast in Music Box Films’ “Good Bad Things,” and Adam Pearson was authentically cast as Oswald, a man with neurofibromatosis, in HBO Max’s film “A Different Man.” 

“The opportunity to tell my authentic disabled story in our beautiful film has already had such a huge impact on so many lives,” said Kurtzman, the writer, producer and lead actor for “Good Bad Things.” 

“Adam Pearson needs to be acknowledged, not just as one of the finest disabled actors of our time, but as one of the finest actors currently working,” said Maribeth Fox, casting director for “A Different Man.” “His storytelling ability, creation of character, enthusiasm and buoyancy for the craft of acting is not to be ignored.” 

The Ruderman Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs, partnerships and philanthropies that advocate for the advancement and conclusion of people with disabilities.