Acting as a bridge between its predecessor and the planned sequel, the spin-off Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales served an important purpose when it was released. Not only did it fully introduce fans to developer Insomniac Games’ version of the titular hero, but it was also a PS5 launch title. Just like Marvel’s Spider-Man, the game received strong review scores and deepened the in-game universe’s world and lore. It also introduced Miles’ Deaf love interest Hailey Cooper, played by actress Natasha Ofili, who is also Deaf.
Natasha Ofili recently sat down to discuss her career to date in a recent interview with Game Rant (via ASL translation). She talked about the achievement of becoming the first Black and Deaf woman to appear in a video game, Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales, and how she keeps raising the bar higher and higher with each achievement. She also discussed how the industry has evolved since she first started, and the improvements that she feels are still to be made.
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Natasha Ofili on Consistently Raising the Bar
Starting out as a fashion designer, it’s safe to say Natasha Ofili’s career has taken a few unexpected turns. Since she began acting, however, she hasn’t looked back and has been involved in some high-profile projects with the likes of Netflix’s The Politician and the Marvel’s Spider-Man series. Her career is going from strength to strength, and she is hoping that her work will inspire the next generation of Black and Deaf actors:
”I feel like everything I’ve done sets the bar higher and higher, and I keep climbing it. It means I can continue to show my gift as an actor, and I feel proud because, so far right now, I feel like I’m the only one. I hope my work being out there speaks and signs to Black and brown, Deaf and hard of hearing youth, and especially Black and brown youth and people in general. Hopefully, they are seeing me and thinking, ‘oh, I can do that!’ I’m trying to break that stigma. It makes me proud to continue, and it gives me joy to not give up.”
Natasha Ofili Says Work Still Needs to Be Done to Raise the Profile of Deaf Talent
For her role as Hailey Cooper, Ofili won the 2024 Game Accessibility Conference Award for Best Representation. Having already been in the industry for over five years, Ofili was keen to point out that she has already seen some improvements when it comes to representation visibility, but she still feels there is some work to do, particularly with putting Deaf people behind the cameras, not just in front of them:
”I’ve definitely seen some change. I’ve seen some more representation visibility, which is great. However, I feel like there’s still a way to go. I feel like we need to put more Deaf talent, Deaf qualified people behind the scenes as well: writers, producers, people making decisions, executive producers, for example.”
There is plenty more to come from Ofili whose overwhelming enthusiasm and positivity for the industry is enough to make anyone smile. She is currently working on a project with the band Coldplay, who she has previously collaborated with. It seems she’ll likely reprise her role as Hailey in the inevitable Marvel’s Spider-Man 3, although this is pure speculation on our part. No matter what, though, fans can expect her to continue setting the bar higher and higher—and rising above each time, too.
Systems
ReleasedNovember 12, 2020
ESRBT For Teen due to Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Violence
How Long To Beat8 Hours
OpenCritic RatingMighty
