“Arthur,” the longest-running kids’ animation series, is introducing a Sikh character in a special episode on Sept. 6. The episode titled “Arthur’s First Day” will follow the bespectacled aardvark on his first day in fourth grade.
According to the episode’s synopsis, when BFFs Arthur and Buster get assigned to different classes on their first day of fourth grade, they find themselves having to make new friends. While Arthur gets to know Alex, a boy he went to third grade with, better, Buster, becomes friends with Samir as the two work together to solve a mystery. Samir wears a patka, a traditional head covering, and a kara, a steel bangle.
The hour-long episode was created as part of season 25 before it was announced that the series would be ending, according to executive producer Carol Greenwald. “We wanted to raise awareness about the challenges a kid might [face] when meeting new classmates,” she told CNN. “We also hope that kids who do wear a patka or other cultural dress feel seen and represented on our show.”
However, she emphasized that Samir’s faith isn’t central to the story. “Rather, Samir exists in the ‘Arthur’ universe much like any other character,” adding that the inclusion of Samir is a part of the series’ longstanding mission to ensure that the children watching see their worlds reflected on screen.”
The series has made attempts to diversify its cast of characters in the past. Arthur has a nuclear family while Buster is raised by a single parent, Muffy comes from wealth while Francine lives in a lower-income household. Mr. Ratburn, their third-grade teacher, came out as gay and got married.
Though the iconic children’s series is coming to an end, Greenwald told CNN it’s possible that Samir could have a future in the “Arthur” digital content that will continue being created. He also appears in a digital game that accompanies the episode, she added.
Earlier, Greenwald had issued a statement, that despite the show ending, new content is still in production. “In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of Arthur will debut,” read the statement sent to Variety magazine. “‘Arthur’ will continue to be available on PBS KIDS for years to come. Producer GBH and PBS KIDS are continuing to work together on additional Arthur content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways.”