Trans Actors Whose Roles Were Recast Post-Transition Backlash

The way transgender characters are shown in movies and TV, and who plays them, is changing a lot. Previously, it was common to see cisgender (non-transgender) actors play these roles, which often caused criticism and demands for more genuine representation. This pressure has often led to projects being reworked or actors being replaced with transgender performers to ensure accuracy and respect. The following examples show times when trans actors were cast in roles or when the industry addressed issues related to transgender representation by changing who was cast.

Jen Richards

A well-known actress and activist, she publicly criticized the practice of casting cisgender men to play transgender women. Her comments sparked a broader discussion, leading to increased attention and criticism of films like ‘Anything’. Although she didn’t change the casting in that particular case, she later landed leading roles in shows like ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ and ‘Clarice’ because the entertainment industry began prioritizing authentic representation. Her efforts have significantly influenced how studios now cast transgender characters.

Trace Lysette

She had a continuing role on the show ‘Transparent,’ which changed significantly after the main actor was dismissed due to allegations of misconduct. The show then centered its final episode around the transgender actors who had supporting roles, giving her and her fellow cast members the opportunity to tell a story that had previously focused on a cisgender actor. Since then, she’s been a vocal advocate for greater representation, calling for trans actors to be considered for all roles in the entertainment industry.

Jamie Clayton

Jamie Clayton starred as Pinhead in the new ‘Hellraiser’ film, a major update to a famous horror character. The filmmakers chose a trans actress for the role, previously played by a man, to better reflect the story’s underlying ideas. Despite some initial fan hesitation, the production team supported the decision, and Clayton’s performance was highly acclaimed for its power. This casting showed that classic characters can be successfully reinvented with a focus on inclusivity.

Yasmin Finney

Being cast as Rose Noble in ‘Doctor Who’ was a landmark moment for the show. The character’s name had a rich history within the series and resonated with fans. Her casting was widely praised as a modern and inclusive step, offering important representation for transgender youth in the UK. Notably, the show introduced a transgender character directly, without relying on a storyline that first featured a cisgender actor.

Erika Ervin

This actress and model faced difficulties finding work after publicly coming out as transgender. She lost roles and opportunities due to how the entertainment industry perceived her identity. However, she eventually found success on ‘American Horror Story,’ where she was cast in parts that celebrated who she is. Her story shows the challenges many transgender performers have overcome to gain recognition in mainstream media.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

As a huge film and TV fan, I was so impressed with the impact of ‘Pose’. It wasn’t just a great show, it was groundbreaking – it really changed things by having the most trans actors in leading roles ever seen on television. It was created specifically to give trans performers the opportunities they deserved, which had been missing for so long. By letting trans actors play trans characters, it smartly avoided a lot of the criticism other shows had faced. And seeing her win a Golden Globe for her work on ‘Pose’ was incredible – she made history as the first trans woman to do so, and it was so well-deserved!

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox became world-renowned for her part in ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ a show that greatly improved how transgender people were seen in television and film. Before her, it was common for transgender characters to be played by actors who weren’t trans, which often caused criticism. Cox proved that trans actors could lead important stories and connect with viewers around the world. This achievement encouraged other shows and movies to cast trans actors in trans roles, moving away from old Hollywood practices.

Elliot Page

I was so impressed when Elliot announced his transition while being a part of ‘The Umbrella Academy.’ What really stood out was how the show handled it – they didn’t replace him or pretend it wasn’t happening. Instead, they actually wrote his character’s transition into the show! I know it was a direct result of the amazing support from fans, and it felt so genuine and respectful of Elliot’s journey. Everyone celebrated it because it was a really thoughtful way to deal with a big change during a popular show.

Josie Totah

She started her career as a child actor, and later returned to television as the star of the new ‘Saved by the Bell’ series. The show’s creators collaborated with her to create a character that authentically and humorously represented her identity. This was a welcome change from older TV shows which often made jokes at the expense of transgender people. Her role demonstrated how established shows can evolve to be more inclusive and relevant to today’s world.

Alexandra Grey

After years of seeing transgender roles played by cisgender actors, she’s become a prominent figure on shows like ‘Empire’ and ‘Chicago Med’. Her casting often reflects a push for greater transgender representation in popular TV dramas. She’s a strong advocate for transgender actors being considered for all roles, not just those specifically written for transgender characters. Through her consistent work, she’s helped make transgender performers a more common sight on mainstream television.

Brian Michael Smith

When he joined ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’, he made history as the first transgender man to become a main cast member on a major network television show. The show’s writers specifically created his character as a trans man, which helped avoid issues other shows have had with recasting. This casting was a deliberate effort to show a wider range of what it means to be a man on TV. Critics have celebrated his performance for bringing a thoughtful and complex portrayal to the role of a first responder.

Ian Alexander

Ian Alexander voiced and did the motion capture for the character Lev in ‘The Last of Us Part II’. The game developers wanted a genuine and believable performance for the role. Considering the franchise had previously been criticized for how it portrayed certain groups, casting a transgender actor helped ensure Lev’s story was told with care and nuance. This decision is being seen as a positive step forward for inclusivity in the gaming industry.

Indya Moore

After years of the entertainment industry being criticized for a lack of diversity, they rose to prominence on the show ‘Pose’. Their work provided a rare and honest portrayal of identity and resilience on television. This success led to opportunities in modeling and film, including a role in ‘Escape Room: Tournament of Champions’. They continue to advocate for authentic representation and speak out against the practice of casting cisgender actors in transgender roles.

Dominique Jackson

The actress rose to prominence with her role in ‘Pose’ and later joined ‘American Gods’ playing a significant goddess. Her casting in ‘American Gods’ was praised for bringing much-needed trans representation to a genre traditionally featuring cisgender actors. Importantly, the character wasn’t specifically written as transgender, which was a positive advancement for both her career and the industry. She’s often spoken about the importance of seeing more trans women of color in powerful roles on television and in film.

Angelica Ross

She gained recognition for her roles in ‘Pose’ and then immediately starred in ‘American Horror Story: 1984’. This demonstrated the talent and staying power of trans actors in popular television. Her casting was intentional, as creator Ryan Murphy actively sought to include trans performers in his shows. Since then, she’s become a vocal advocate for increased trans representation in both the technology and film industries.

Hailie Sahar

She was a vital part of the ‘Pose’ cast, helping to change how trans actors were seen on TV. Playing Lulu, she powerfully portrayed a wide range of feelings and experiences that connected with many viewers. Since then, she’s continued to choose roles that break down old ideas about gender. Her success proves the incredible talent that the entertainment industry had been missing out on for too long.

Leyna Bloom

With her role in ‘Port Authority,’ she made history as the first trans woman of color to headline a film at the Cannes Film Festival. The filmmakers intentionally cast her to bring a genuine portrayal of New York City’s ballroom scene to life. This film was a departure from previous movies that faced criticism for telling trans stories without including trans actors in leading roles. Her achievement at Cannes brought increased attention to trans cinema worldwide.

Patti Harrison

She’s a comedian and actress who’s gained recognition for starring in films like ‘Together Together’. People particularly appreciated that the film didn’t focus on her being transgender as the main source of drama, which was a refreshing change from typical roles for trans actors. She’s now a leading voice for the trans community in both comedy and independent cinema.

Jesse James Keitel

She played a groundbreaking nonbinary character on the hit show ‘Big Sky,’ a first for a major network thriller. The casting aimed to increase representation of nonbinary people in crime dramas. Her character wasn’t just included—she was a key part of the story and portrayed with unusual depth for a mainstream TV show. This role is expected to open doors for more nonbinary and transgender actors in dramatic roles.

Leo Sheng

He played a transgender man balancing his career and personal life on ‘The L Word: Generation Q’. This role was important because the original series had previously featured inaccurate and harmful depictions of transgender men. His casting helped to offer a more genuine and respectful representation of transgender masculinity, and he’s now a prominent voice for trans men working in Hollywood.

Garcia

The actor played a transgender man deeply rooted in San Francisco’s community in the recent revival of ‘Tales of the City.’ The show intentionally hired transgender writers and actors to authentically portray the story, a change from previous versions of the series where cisgender actors had played similar characters. Critics particularly praised their performance for its sincerity and how well it honored the original story.

Chella Man

Landing the role of Jericho in ‘Titans’ was a significant moment for representation of both transgender people and those with disabilities. As a deaf trans man, the actor brought a powerful authenticity to the superhero world. The show’s creators made sure his identity was honored and woven into the character’s history, demonstrating a growing openness from large franchises to cast diverse actors in substantial roles.

Quintessa Swindell

This actor gained recognition in the series ‘Trinkets’ and then appeared in the film ‘Black Adam’ as part of the DC Extended Universe. Being a nonbinary performer cast in a major superhero movie was a significant step forward for representation in the genre. The entertainment industry is now more frequently casting nonbinary and transgender actors in roles traditionally held by cisgender performers. Their achievements demonstrate the expanding opportunities for gender-diverse talent in large-scale films.

Peppermint

She broke barriers by becoming the first transgender woman to star in a leading role on Broadway, in the musical ‘Head Over Heels’. This was a landmark achievement for the theater world, which had frequently cast cisgender men in roles that hinted at transgender identities. Her success on stage opened doors to more work in television and film, where she’s continued to champion the visibility and opportunities for transgender actors. She’s become a prominent voice calling for more inclusive casting practices in both New York and Hollywood.

Jinkx Monsoon

She recently joined the cast of ‘Doctor Who’ in a prominent role, playing a musical villain and making a notable comeback to acting. Her inclusion was part of a growing effort to increase representation of drag and transgender performers in popular science fiction. The show’s creators celebrated her individuality, crafting a character that was both playfully over-the-top and genuinely intimidating. Fans, who have consistently supported diverse casting choices, were thrilled with the decision.

Alex Blue Davis

He was among the first transgender men to play a recurring transgender character on the medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. The show cast him to better represent both its viewers and the diversity within the medical field. The storyline focused on his abilities as a professional, not just his identity as a transgender man, which helped change how transgender men are portrayed on long-running TV series.

Scott Turner Schofield

He made history as the first transgender man to have a regular role on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’. Traditionally, soap operas haven’t done a great job representing transgender people, often using tired stereotypes and casting cisgender actors in trans roles. His role was a significant step forward for the genre, and the show included a storyline designed to educate viewers. Since then, he’s been working as a consultant, helping other TV shows create more authentic and respectful transgender characters and casting choices.

Please share your thoughts on these casting transitions in the comments.

2025-12-24 11:17