A new episode of one of the longest US cartoons, The Simpsons is set to feature a deaf actor for the first time in its 33-year history.

The episode is titled ‘The Sound Of Bleeding Gums’ and will see Lisa Simpson discover that the son of her musical mentor and saxophone player, Bleeding Gums Murphy, was born deaf.

Lisa will help Monk, played by deaf actor John Autry II, get a cochlear transplant.

The episode will also be the first time that American Sign Language (ASL) has been used on the show.

It was written by Loni Steele Sosthand who grew up with jazz music and has a brother who was born deaf

“it’s life-changing equality and participation,” he said:

“This can impact change for all of us. It’s about hard of hearing and hearing characters coming together. It’s a part of history.”

It comes following the achievement of Coda, which won the best picture at this year’s Oscars and features a cast of primarily deaf actors.

The pioneering family drama was widely praised by members of the industry for highlighting the issues of the deaf community and giving more of a platform to its members.

ASL interpreters were used for the first time at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, and again at the 64th Grammy awards a week later – two of showbiz’s biggest nights.

The Sound Of Bleeding Gums is set to air on Sunday, April 10.