20 TV Shows That Cast Black Trans Actors in Cis Roles (And It Worked)

As a movie and TV lover, I’ve noticed a really encouraging change happening with casting. For a long time, trans actors were almost only seen playing trans characters, and those stories often focused heavily on their transition or past struggles. But things are finally shifting! Casting directors are starting to realize that talent is talent, no matter who you are. It’s amazing to see Black trans actors landing roles originally written for cisgender people, or roles where their identity isn’t the main point of the story. This is huge for their careers, of course, but it also makes for much richer and more interesting storytelling. I’m excited to see more examples of this happening, and the following shows really showcase this progress.

‘Loot’ (2022–Present)

This Apple TV+ comedy features Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Maya Rudolph. Rudolph plays a wealthy, out-of-touch billionaire, while Rodriguez stars as Sofia Salinas, the serious and hardworking director of a non-profit. Sofia’s story centers on her career goals, how she leads her team, and her blossoming love life – and importantly, her background isn’t defined by being transgender. Rodriguez gives a strong and confident performance, proving she’s a talented comedic lead.

‘Inventing Anna’ (2022)

Laverne Cox plays Kacy Duke, a well-known fitness and life coach who gets caught up in the deceptions of Anna Sorokin. While the character is based on a real woman, Cox focused on accurately portraying Duke’s personality, her approach to work, and her loyalty to her friends. The story highlights Kacy’s role as a voice of reason among Anna’s acquaintances, and doesn’t focus on Cox’s own gender identity. Cox convincingly embodies the real Kacy Duke, demonstrating her skill at playing roles based on real people.

‘American Horror Story: 1984’ (2019)

Angelica Ross appeared in the ninth season of the series as Donna Chambers, a psychologist fascinated by the psychology of serial killers. Donna is a woman whose story explores themes of ambition, questionable ethics, and staying alive in a horror-movie-like situation. Her actions are driven by her career and past family experiences, and the character was specifically written as cisgender. Ross delivers a powerfully unsettling performance, and her portrayal is central to the season’s many surprising turns.

‘Blue Bloods’ (2010–2024)

Before becoming a prominent advocate for transgender rights, Brian Michael Smith acted in a popular police drama, playing Officer Buckley and other uniformed officers in several episodes. These roles were originally written as cisgender men who helped the main characters solve cases. Smith brought the necessary strength and physical presence to these roles, portraying believable New York police officers. His work on the show is considered an early instance of a transgender man successfully playing cisgender characters on network television without revealing his identity.

‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)

Dominique Jackson played a powerful goddess, Ms. World, in the third season of this fantasy series. The character takes on different forms, and Jackson portrays a particularly striking and imposing version of her. The role highlights Jackson’s natural charisma and graceful style, presenting her as a godlike being rather than focusing on her identity as a trans woman. Her performance explores themes of power and control, seamlessly blending into the show’s fantastical world.

‘The Blacklist’ (2013–2023)

As a movie buff, I was really struck by Laverne Cox’s guest role on the show. She played Dr. Laken Perillos, and honestly, it was chilling. Her character was this incredibly skilled interrogator, but what was really unsettling was how she could get information without physically hurting anyone – it was all psychological. The writers presented her as just a dangerous enemy, which allowed Laverne to fully embrace this villainous role, a type we usually see played by cisgender actors. She was absolutely terrifying, but in a really controlled, composed way, and the focus was entirely on how menacing her job was. It was a fantastic, and frankly, unsettling performance.

‘Girls’ (2012–2017)

During the fourth season of the HBO show, Brian Michael Smith landed a part as a police officer who regularly interacts with the main characters. His character is a typical, cisgender officer, often representing the kind of authority figures the show’s leads find themselves in conflict with. Smith successfully auditioned for and secured this role, and others similar to it, by not revealing he is transgender, demonstrating his ability to convincingly portray a cisgender man on screen. This work helped build his experience playing traditionally masculine characters before he publicly came out as transgender.

‘American Horror Story: Double Feature’ (2021)

Angelica Ross returned to the series as The Chemist, a remarkably intelligent but morally questionable scientist. She created a pill that could unlock hidden talents, but with dangerous consequences. The character is portrayed as a cold and calculating leader who values data above all else. Ross gives a strong, thoughtful performance, providing a sense of stability amidst the wild events of the “Red Tide” storyline. This role demonstrates her ability to convincingly play complex, villainous characters, where her gender identity isn’t a factor in the story.

‘Chicago P.D.’ (2014–Present)

Brian Michael Smith has consistently played roles related to law enforcement, and his part as Roland Garrett in this NBC drama continued that trend. Garrett is a man whose storyline challenges the ethics of the show’s detectives. The role required a believable and intense performance fitting the realistic style of the ‘Dick Wolf’ television world. Smith’s acting fit perfectly with the other male actors, solidifying his reputation for strong performances in police dramas.

‘The Mindy Project’ (2012–2017)

Laverne Cox played Sheena, a fashionable and self-assured cousin, in this romantic comedy series. Sheena works in the beauty world and helps the main character with style and confidence. Her story focuses on fashion, family, and feeling good about yourself, and doesn’t involve any storyline about transitioning. Cox’s natural comedic talent and cheerful personality allowed her to play a relatable, everyday character, making her presence in the sitcom feel completely normal.

‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

Later in the series, Brian Michael Smith played Nate, a paramedic who found himself in the middle of the show’s intense drama. Smith portrayed Nate as a calm and capable medical professional, effectively serving the story’s needs. This role, like others he’s taken, showcases his ability to play working-class American men and highlights the fact that trans actors can convincingly portray cisgender male characters.

‘Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce’ (2014–2018)

In the Bravo series, Laverne Cox played Adele Northrop, a former soldier and one of the show’s central character’s first friends. This role was important because it allowed Cox to portray a cisgender woman who was a veteran grappling with PTSD and the difficulties of returning to civilian life. The story focused on her experiences with trauma and relationships, rather than her gender identity. This was a significant opportunity for Cox, as it let her take on a dramatic role that is often unavailable to transgender actresses.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

Early in his acting career, Brian Michael Smith had a small role as a delivery man on a popular teen drama. He got the part because he was able to convincingly portray a character written as a cisgender male. Though minor, this type of everyday role is important for actors starting out and building their experience. Appearing on such a well-known show, even in a small part as a cisgender character, was a significant, though often unnoticed, step forward in his career.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016)

Brian Michael Smith appeared as a police officer in this science fiction crime series, continuing his trend of playing law enforcement characters. He portrayed a typical male officer within the show’s highly monitored setting. Smith’s consistent success in landing these roles demonstrates a gap between what the entertainment industry expects and what is actually happening, as he convincingly played male characters for many years. His performance felt natural and fit the story without anyone realizing it wasn’t a role reflecting his own identity.

‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (1999–Present)

Brian Michael Smith has a long list of credits in procedural dramas, and he recently appeared as a construction worker in an episode of Law & Order. He played a believable, working-class man interviewed by detectives as part of an investigation. This type of role demands actors convincingly portray traditional masculinity, and Smith did so seamlessly. His frequent appearances in various roles within the Law & Order franchise demonstrate his skill and dependability when playing cisgender male characters.

‘The Detour’ (2016–2019)

I really loved Brian Michael Smith in this TBS comedy! He played a firefighter, and he was so good at the physical comedy and just embracing the show’s craziness. His character was a straight-up, everyday first responder who always seemed to get caught up in the family’s hilarious messes. It’s cool because comedy needs a different kind of energy than those serious crime shows, and he totally nailed it. What I appreciated most was that his gender really wasn’t a thing in the role – it was all about the funny situations he found himself in.

‘Seven Seconds’ (2018)

Brian Michael Smith played a sheriff’s deputy in this gripping Netflix crime series, which delved into issues of race and police misconduct. His character was a serious, dramatic role – a traditional male officer dealing with the dark events of the story. Smith delivered a strong performance, holding his own amidst the show’s intense and emotional narrative. This role reinforced his image as a powerful figure representing authority and law enforcement in realistic, hard-hitting television.

‘Faking It’ (2014–2016)

Laverne Cox played Margot, the hilariously dramatic director of the high school drama club. Margot is a straight woman who acts as a funny mentor to the students, completely dedicated to theater. The character is bold and takes charge, giving Cox a great opportunity to show off her comedic skills in a teen sitcom. It was a welcome role because it let her play someone defined by what they do and their unique personality, instead of focusing on their identity.

‘God Friended Me’ (2018–2020)

Peppermint, a talented trans woman who gained fame as a finalist on Drag Race, has landed a continuing role on a CBS drama. She plays a pastor and pillar of the community – a cisgender woman who provides support and stability to those around her. This casting was a historic moment for network television, as it put a Black trans woman in a position of religious and moral leadership. Peppermint brought warmth and grace to the role, perfectly complementing the show’s positive and hopeful atmosphere.

‘Red Oaks’ (2014–2017)

Brian Michael Smith had a role as a choir member in an Amazon Prime comedy series set in the 1980s. Although a small part originally written for a cisgender man, his casting showcased the diverse opportunities available to actors, especially when casting isn’t limited by an actor’s gender identity. Smith’s appearance enriched the show’s world and demonstrated that trans actors can convincingly portray characters in any era or location.

2025-12-09 05:17