Sandra Mae Frank, who’s deaf, blazes a trail in ‘New Amsterdam’
nypost.comNBC’s “New Amsterdam” returns from its Winter Olympics hiatus Tuesday (Feb. 22) at 10 p.m. — as fiery surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Wilder continues to lead “The Resistance” against cost-cutting hospital administrator Dr.
Veronica Fuentes (Michelle Forbes).And she’s done it without saying a word.Wilder is played by Sandra Mae Frank, an actor who is deaf and who joined “New Amsterdam” this season in the key role of Dr.
Wilder.“When I first got the audition [for the role] I thought in my head that maybe [Dr. Wilder’s role] would be just one surgery, or something like that to show representation of the deaf community,” said Frank, who spoke to The Post over Zoom with her interpreter, Chris Matthews. “But I didn’t expect anything like [The Resistance] and for her to be involved with all the characters in the show.
But I’m not surprised — she’s strong, loud and independent and is not afraid to speak her mind, especially in a hearing world.“As a deaf doctor, as a surgeon, feeling oppressed for being a woman, for being deaf, for being queer … to bring that level of passion, and especially with The Resistance, it makes sense.“It’s her thing.”“New Amsterdam” is not Frank’s first TV role, but it’s her biggest thus far.
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