Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye

Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye follows Sue Thomas, a young woman who is deaf and whose exceptional lipreading skills earn her a civilian position with the FBI in Washington, D.C. Instead of standard wiretaps, Sue watches suspects face to face and reads lips to gather evidence, often in settings where audio equipment can't help. She works alongside field agents and office staff, bringing a mix of determination, empathy, and occasional stubbornness to cases. With her hearing-ear dog Levi at her side, Sue balances procedural crime work with warm, family-oriented moments, showing practical problem solving and steady moral commitment without sensationalizing her condition.

Premiering in 2002, the series was created by Dave Alan Johnson and Gary R. Johnson. Deanne Bray stars as Sue Thomas, joined by Yannick Bisson, Rick Peters, Marc Gomes and Enuka Okuma, and the show draws on the real Sue Thomas's experiences working with the FBI.

The series didn't rack up major industry awards, but it developed steady support from viewers and earned praise for its lead performance. Deanne Bray's portrayal was repeatedly noted for authenticity, and the show maintained a loyal audience during its run, especially among families and viewers interested in more positive, accessible heroes.

Featuring a deaf protagonist who uses lipreading and a certified hearing-ear dog, the show increased visibility for accessibility issues on mainstream television. Levi became a recognizable element, and the series prompted conversations about how people with hearing impairments contribute to professional environments, influencing modest shifts in representation of disability on family-friendly TV.

Audience reception leaned positive, reflected in a roughly 7.1/10 average from a small sample of votes. Critics often described it as a gentle, morale-driven procedural with strong family appeal. Recurring themes include teamwork, communication beyond sound, trust within a law enforcement team, and Sue's practical resourcefulness when conventional tools fall short.