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Netflix and Sign Language: A Look at Key Projects

April 3, 2026

Netflix has increasingly showcased content that highlights Deaf culture, sign language, and authentic representation by Deaf actors. From real‑life stories to scripted drama, these projects offer visibility and nuance rarely seen on global streaming platforms.

📺 Black Summer (2019) — Series

In Season 1, the first three episodes feature the use of American Sign Language (ASL) through one of the main characters, Sun, a Deaf woman navigating the zombie apocalypse. Although sign language is only partially used throughout the series, Black Summer is one of the earliest Netflix productions to include a Deaf character and signed communication as part of the storyline.

🎓 Deaf U (2020) — Docuseries / Reality

The next Netflix shows to center Deaf culture is Deaf U, a reality docuseries co-produced by deaf producer Nyle Di Marco, following a group of Deaf and hard-of-hearing college students at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. The series explores friendships, relationships, and college life while also diving into identity, communication styles, and community dynamics within the Deaf world. American Sign Language (ASL) is used extensively throughout the series.

📽️ Feel the Beat (2020) — Film

While Feel the Beat is not centered on Deaf culture, this Netflix dance drama features a prominent supporting role played by Deaf actress Shaylee Mansfield. She portrays Zuzu, an important member of the dance ensemble. Her presence and use of sign language contribute to the film’s inclusivity and representation.

🎓 Audible (2021) — Documentary Short

The Academy Award-nominated documentary short Audible, produced by Deaf activisit Nyle Di Marco,  is part of the project, follows a senior student and football player at the Maryland School for the Deaf as he and his teammates balance sports, personal loss, and life within a close-knit Deaf community. The film offers an authentic portrayal of Deaf experiences, culture, and signed communication.

📺 Welcome to Eden (2022–2023) — Series

The Spanish thriller series Welcome to Eden (Bienvenidos a Edén) features Carlos Soroa, a Deaf actor whose first language is Spanish Sign Language (LSE). His character, Eloy, communicates through sign language, making the series one of the few international Netflix dramas to feature a Deaf character portrayed authentically by a Deaf actor.

📺 Black Rabbit (2025) — Series

In the Netflix limited series Black Rabbit, Academy Award-winning Deaf actor Troy Kotsur portrays a powerful crime figure whose communication frequently involves American Sign Language (ASL). His role demonstrates how Deaf actors and sign language can be naturally integrated into mainstream storytelling beyond narratives specifically focused on deafness.

📽️ Feel My Voice  (2026) — Feature Film

Released on April 3, 2026, Feel My Voice (Non Abbiam Bisogno di Parole) is a Netflix original film starring Deaf actors Emilio Insolera, Carola Insolera, and Antonio Iorillo with a supporting appearance of a Deaf actor Fulvio Fugalli. The story follows Eletta (Sarah Toscano), the only hearing member of a Deaf family, who discovers she has an extraordinary singing voice and must choose between pursuing her dreams and staying connected to her family. With more than 50% of its dialogue communicated through sign language, Feel My Voice is believed to be the first Netflix-produced feature film in which sign language plays such a dominant role in the narrative.

Why This Matters

The inclusion of Deaf actors, sign language, and authentic Deaf stories in Netflix projects is more than representation — it is a step toward visibility, inclusivity, and cultural understanding on a global scale. By integrating signed communication into mainstream narratives, Netflix not only gives Deaf performers the recognition they deserve but also educates and engages hearing audiences, breaking down stereotypes and fostering empathy. Each project, from reality docuseries to international thrillers and feature films, demonstrates that Deaf voices and sign language are not just supplementary — they are essential to telling richer, more diverse, and meaningful stories.

Source: This overview is based on the Netflix sign language collection curated by DMDb (Deaf Movie Database) the world’s only database dedicated to films, series, documentaries, and media featuring Deaf talent, sign language, and Deaf culture. https://deafmovie.org/slejrlan/netflix/