Co-starring in the Netflix series “The Healing Powers of Dude,” Los Altos High School freshman Sophie Kim aspires to be a role model for other young people with disabilities.
“If I was younger and somebody had been in a role that I did, it would have made a difference in my life,” said Kim, diagnosed with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy at age 2. “What I’m hoping for is that more people will get opportunities like I did so that we can see some change.”
In a wheelchair since age 4, the Los Altos resident has grown up fully aware of the stigma surrounding disabilities.
“I definitely felt this presence, and it’s not something that can easily be ignored – whether it’s spoken about or not,” Kim said. “I distinctly remember my first day going to any new school, I would always feel the stares; knowing that everybody’s looking at you can be very disheartening and has certainly been a very unique experience.”
Kim never had television role models that looked like her, she added, and the shows she watched during her childhood didn’t realistically portray people with disabilities or disorders in general. She hopes “Dude” changes that, leaving a positive impression on viewers and aspiring actors with challenges of their own.
Based on the feedback Kim has received, it has. The 14-year-old said that since the show’s release last year, she has received messages from other young people with disabilities, which she appreciates.
The family-friendly comedy centers on Noah, an 11-year-old boy with social anxiety disorder who confronts challenges with his emotional support dog Dude and friends Amara – played by Kim – and Simon.
Kim said her aunt played a part in getting her the role; she stumbled upon a worldwide casting call by Netflix seeking authentic wheelchair users. Reluctant at first and having only performed in elementary school plays, Kim sent in an audition video. After a few Skype calls with the production team and several rounds of auditions, Kim landed the role in 2019.
Kim spent that summer in Vancouver, B.C., filming the eight-episode first season, which debuted in January 2020.
Although the directors had the character of Amara developed before they met Kim, she said they altered some aspects – such as the fact that her favorite show is “Parks and Recreation,” just like Kim’s. She also got the opportunity to sing on the show.
Although there won’t be additional seasons of “Dude,” Kim said she has received several requests to audition for other roles and plans to pursue them. As for the future of television, Kim hopes that it will become even more inclusive and that more people like her have opportunities.
“I definitely hope that it gets more authentic real fast, because I feel like when you have actors who authentically portray a role, they can really mold the show to be more accurate to their experience and others’ experiences,” she said. “You should never be ashamed to go for what you want; and if people aren’t giving you that, then that’s on them.”
