When Nathan Borg walks down the street, it doesn’t take long before someone recognises him – maybe from his 2021 role on the long-running soap “Neighbours”, or from the buzz-worthy BONDS ad that aired two years later.
For the 29-year-old actor, who is profoundly deaf and wears a cochlear implant, visibility has never been just about fame – it’s about representation.
Image source: Instagram.
“I'm an actor, creator and TV transport crew – and I also happen to be profoundly deaf,” Nathan told us. “I communicate fluently in both English and Auslan.”
By 2024, Nathan had also secured leading roles in the films "My Melbourne" and "Strawberry Cheesecake," further cementing his status as a rising star.
But his presence extends far beyond the spotlight. Off-camera, he’s been advocating for change – working with productions and theatres to improve accessibility, consulting on deaf stories in scripts, showing up on TV interviews, and reminding the world that inclusion isn’t just a buzzword.
We caught up with Nathan to talk about breaking barriers in the entertainment industry, finding visibility through his work, and what’s next.
Here’s what he had to say.
You're known for your role in “Neighbours” and that famous “BONDS” commercial. How does it feel to represent the deaf community on screen?
I definitely feel a sense of pride. Starting as an extra at 18, I've worked my way up from being an extra to lead roles and crew work. But sometimes, I do wonder why it had to take ten years to get where I am now? I believe it’s due to the Australian entertainment industry's lack of support for deaf creatives in the workplace.
When I started out on “Neighbours”, it came with the pressure of advocacy and representation, which was isolating at first as I wasn’t yet involved in the Deaf community or fluent in sign language. However, once I became fluent in Auslan and got involved in the Deaf community, I received huge support from deaf mentors. They helped me stay grounded and pushed my identity and career forward for the better. I would love to thank Sam Martin, Sofya Gollan, Kylie Beasley and Sue Jo Wright for this.
I realised how important it is for deaf and hard of hearing children in Australia to be introduced to Deaf culture, rather than being expected to adapt only to hearing environments.
I relate to deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis's perspective that the industry, not individuals, should be responsible for representation and inclusivity.
I'm proud of my speaking role on "Neighbours," as well as two signing roles in "BONDS" and "Strawberry Cheesecake," as they've created a shift, not only in the industry and my career but also in raising awareness, whether that impact was big or small.
What kind of reaction do you get from people in the community when they recognise you in the street?
The reactions I’ve had on the streets in both Melbourne and London have been really welcoming and celebratory. I’ve been lucky to receive such positive responses – especially in London, where it felt so surreal having British people recognise me. But I think my biggest impact has been on Melbourne’s iconic queer strip, Smith Street, where I’ve had people yell out things like “BONDS' Man!” or “The Ramsay Guy!” The irony of queers and gays shouting at a deaf guy. [Laughs].
Image source: Supplied.
Do you think disability representation on our screens is important? And how do you use your platform to advocate for inclusion in media?
We all know that disability representation on our screens is important, yet for me, disability advocacy adds a layer of complexity. I don't see myself as an advocate for the entire disability community because I don’t live with other disabilities.
I only advocate for the Deaf and hard of hearing community, because that's who I am. Honestly, it’s more authentic and is quite enough pressure to represent just one community. [Laughs]. That said, I'm proud to be part of the broader Australian disability representation on screen.
I'm very mindful of what I share online, as I want to avoid misleading anyone about disability rights outside my lived experience. I make sure that anything I share includes Auslan or captions. I also advocate by promoting deaf work from overseas to give more exposure to the Australian creatives who follow me.
I strongly believe that Deaf representation remains one of the most lowest represented groups on screen, with many Australian TV series featuring disability or queer representation but lacking deaf roles.
Image source: Supplied.
Do you have a message for other people with disability who may be seeking a path in the arts?
Navigating the industry has been a challenging journey for me, which makes offering advice to others a bit difficult. Over the past decade, I've noticed a shift. There’s a greater openness for actors with disabilities. When I first started being an extra in shows, being deaf was seen as a real problem, to the point where it was critical to hide it. Now, extras with disabilities are being somewhat embraced, and that fills me with pride. It shows the impact of the many actors with disabilities/Deaf who advocated before us.
It's both a shock and a positive thing to realise younger generations might have it easier than you did. My only advice is to be yourself, as everyone brings their own beauty and uniqueness to this industry.