Photo: Ian West/PA Images via Getty
The longtime voice actress behindPeppa Pigis saying “cheerio” to the cartoon character.
On Friday, Entertainment One, the Canada-based production company that creates the popular children’s series, announced that 18-year-old Harley Bird would be stepping down from playing the titular pig — a role to which she’s lent her vocal talents for the past 13 years.
“Becoming the voice of Peppa Pig at the age of 5 was the start of an incredible journey and I’ll never forget my time on the show,” Bird said in a statement. “The people that work onPeppa Pighave become like a family to me and they’ve given me some unforgettable memories. I … am looking forward to starting the next chapter in my life.”
Harley Bird, 2015.Karwai Tang/WireImage
“We’re delighted to welcome Amelie to thePeppa Pigvoice cast and [we’re] confident that she will continue the strong legacy of the previous Peppa voice actors,” said co-creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker in a statement. “… As our longest standing Peppa, Harley’s award-winning contribution to the show over the past 13 years has been tremendous, making her a key part of the success ofPeppa Pig.”
A rep for Smith said that the new lead is a “huge fan” ofPeppa Pig, and that taking on thePiggig is “a dream come true.” Smith’s debut will be on the show’s Valentine’s Day episode.
Peppa Pigis available in more than 180 territories, broadcast in over 40 languages worldwide. According to eOne, former stars Snowden-Fine, 22, and Bloom, 20, are painters and medical students, respectively.
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Bird’s speaking voice was so well-known among her young fan base that some American parents had reported theirtoddlers spontaneously taking on a British accent.
On social media last year, confused moms and dads were citing the “#PeppaEffect,” claiming their non-British little ones had developed the accents from watchingPeppa Pig.
“I just read an article about American parents saying that their children are developing a British accent because they’re watchingPeppa Pig. I just have to say that it’s true. J still has her accent sometimes with certain words & I honestly love it. Lol,”wroteone Twitter user at the time.
“It’s so true this #PeppaEffect,” anothertweeted. “I have [been] trying to teach my daughter hindi. She is 4yrs old. But she still is not able to make sentences in hindi but can speak English very well in British accent.”
New episodes ofPeppa Pigbegin airing on Nick Jr. starting Feb. 14. Check your local listings.
source: people.com
