Mister Rogers’ spin-off Donkey Hodie Welcomes a new Character

A week of new episodes of Donkey Hodie, Fred Rogers Productions’ hit puppet series – including a half-hour road trip special – kicks off April 14 on PBS KIDS, it has been announced. The first of the new stories, an episode called “Hee-Hee Hider Seekers,” will introduce audiences to Jeff Mouse, named in honor of Jeff Erlanger, a young guest who appeared in an unforgettable episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood where he sang a moving duet of Fred’s song, “It’s You I Like,” with the beloved show host. 

An intrepid explorer and avid nature lover, Jeff Mouse was born with congenital muscular dystrophy, which limits his physical abilities, but not his can-do attitude! Like Jeff Erlanger, Jeff Mouse uses a power wheelchair to get around. The new episode underscores for preschoolers that “We can do the same things in different ways.” To portray Jeff Mouse authentically, Fred Rogers Productions engaged Disability Belongs, the national disability-led nonprofit that works to empower people with disabilities to have a better future, to advise on the development of the character and Permobil, a global leader in power and manual wheelchair solutions, to help create Jeff’s chair. Jeff Mouse is voiced by actor Jay Manuel, star of TLC’s new series Jay and Pamela, who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3 and, like the character he voices, uses a power wheelchair.

In the half-hour special, “A Donkey Hodie Road Trip,” premiering April 17, the pals explore new places around Someplace Else. When Donkey, Cousin Hodie, and Panda first set out, their travels don’t go as planned – until the one and only TROLLEY shows up to help get the pals back on track and rolling right along!