Cisgender Actors Who Publicly Apologized for Taking Roles Written for Trans Characters

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For a long time, it was common for cisgender (non-transgender) men to play transgender women in movies and TV shows, but this practice has become increasingly controversial. While some actors once saw these roles as a way to demonstrate their acting skills, more and more are now saying they shouldn’t have taken them. This shift in thinking often comes after hearing from LGBTQ+ activists who point out that these casting choices take opportunities away from transgender actors. Several actors have publicly admitted that these roles should have gone to transgender performers.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne received an Academy Award nomination for his role as Lili Elbe in the 2015 film ‘The Danish Girl’. However, the casting sparked immediate criticism from transgender advocates who believed a trans woman should have played the part. In a 2021 interview, Redmayne acknowledged that accepting the role was a mistake. He explained that while he had good intentions, he wouldn’t make the same choice now, and emphasized the need to create more opportunities for actors from marginalized communities.

Benedict Cumberbatch

In the 2016 comedy ‘Zoolander 2’, Benedict Cumberbatch played All, a non-binary character. The portrayal received strong criticism for being a harmful and insensitive joke at the expense of transgender and non-binary people. Cumberbatch later said he regretted taking the role, recognizing that the attempt at humor didn’t work and actually caused hurt. He also stated that, given current social awareness, a cisgender man wouldn’t be cast in such a role today. This shows how comedy has often depended on damaging stereotypes that are now considered unacceptable.

Jeffrey Tambor

Jeffrey Tambor received two Emmy Awards for his performance as Maura Pfefferman in the Amazon series ‘Transparent’ (2014–2019). While accepting his award at the 2016 Emmys, he spoke about the discussion surrounding cisgender actors playing transgender characters. Tambor expressed hope that he would be the last cisgender man to play a transgender woman, and encouraged the entertainment industry to create opportunities for transgender actors through auditions and meaningful roles. His comments were a notable acknowledgement that the industry needed to shift its casting practices.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy played Patrick “Kitten” Braden in the 2005 film ‘Breakfast on Pluto,’ a role he’s always cherished. However, he recently said he now believes the part should be played by a trans woman if the film were made today. Murphy explained that our understanding of gender identity has grown considerably since the early 2000s, and it’s important for trans stories to be told by people with firsthand experience.

Darren Criss

Darren Criss starred as the lead in the 2015 Broadway show ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch,’ a role historically played by both straight and LGBTQ+ actors. In 2018, he announced he would no longer play LGBTQ+ characters, explaining he didn’t want to take opportunities away from queer performers. This decision came as part of a broader push for fairer casting in the entertainment industry. Criss has consistently stated he prefers to support the LGBTQ+ community by letting queer actors take those roles instead of playing them himself.

David Duchovny

David Duchovny famously played Denise Bryson, a DEA agent, on the original ‘Twin Peaks’ and returned to the role for the show’s 2017 revival. Looking back, Duchovny now understands the issues with a cisgender man portraying a transgender woman. He’s said that if the character were being cast now, a trans actor should play the part. Duchovny admits he tried to approach the role respectfully, but acknowledges that expectations for on-screen representation have rightfully evolved, and his comments reflect a shift from how things were done in 1990s television.

Paco León

As a film lover, I remember when Paco León played María José, a transgender character, in ‘The House of Flowers.’ It was a huge show on Netflix, but the casting caused a lot of controversy – rightfully so, because it meant a trans actress didn’t get the opportunity. Initially, León stood by the decision, saying it was an artistic one, but he later apologized, realizing how much hurt it caused. He said he wouldn’t take the role if he could do it over and pledged to be a better ally and support authentic representation going forward. It really highlighted how important the conversation around casting is becoming worldwide, and how much impact it has.

Now that you’ve seen these apologies, let us know if they change how you feel about the performances. Share your thoughts in the comments!

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2026-02-03 22:52