Bridging the Gap Between Two Cultures: A Conversation with Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye's Deanne Bray

By Caroline Eichenberg

Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, is the ITV series inspired by the real-life crime fighter, Sue Thomas, a deaf woman who turned her extraordinary ability for reading lips into a career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C. 

Deanne Bray, star of Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, deaf herself since the age of two, was impressed with the script right away. "When I first read the script it was not just Sue Thomas's story, it was my story, too.  And, I remember thinking to myself, ‘I wonder who wrote this?'  Because if it's a hearing person, a writer, who's trying to write about a deaf life, usually you can tell."

Critics and fans alike appreciate the show's lack of foul language and the tasteful manner in which they present violent situations – and sexual innuendo is non-existent. In a television culture that is constantly pushing the boundaries on indecency, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye provides a hopeful, uplifting message about persevering in spite of obstacles. 

"I think it's a good thing for families to have choices, to be able to watch the shows together," said Bray. "These shows tend to have more values, where they [children] can learn a lesson with each episode.  It's ‘feel good' TV.  It's inspirational.  That's what the goal is."

Before landing the part on the series, Bray taught math and history to deaf and hard of hearing students in an East Los Angeles high school.  There, she founded and personally funded, a reading club to benefit deaf and hard of hearing Latino students.  The success of the "Little Bookworm Club" earned her a grant from the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program – a program recognizing outstanding teaching and instructional creativity in public secondary schools serving economically disadvantaged students.

Teaching, she said, is very similar to acting.  And she is thrilled to be back in the classroom.

"As a teacher, you don't know what's going to happen that day, and you just go with the flow. I'm more of a stage actor and when I do a show, there'll be thirty shows and each one is different. Doing this TV series, I have a bigger audience -- or a bigger classroom."

Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye has helped the hearing culture, as Bray remarked in a past interview, to "gain a deeper understanding and respect for the individuals who walk the path of silence."  Past episodes of this groundbreaking program have included scenes performed entirely in American Sign Language with subtitles, storylines examining the differences between speaking and non-speaking deaf individuals, and a storyline involving Sue hesitantly bringing her non-deaf roommate to a deaf bar.

Bray's creative philosophy is largely based on her 11 years of experience with the Deaf West Theater Company – bringing deaf and hearing people together to tell a story.  On the set of Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, she follows that philosophy to the letter.

 Bray encourages the cast and crew of Sue Thomas to learn American Sign Language, and partners with writing staff on plot-lines and scripts – her suggestions are largely based on her own life experiences.  In addition, several deaf and hard of hearing people have been hired as extras, editors, and ASL Masters on the show.  Often because there is a different director each week, Bray works closely with him or her to block scenes, ensuring her character is able to see what other characters are saying.  

Always a teacher, Bray is making a positive contribution to creating a bridge of understanding and knowledge between the hearing and deaf cultures. Better yet, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye is an entertaining, suspenseful and thought-provoking program that does not mar its message by including profanity, inappropriate sexual content or graphic depictions of violence. Free of such distractions, this show has a profound ability to educate and inspire viewers.

Tune in to watch Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye Sunday and Monday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on ITV.