Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon‘s Max high school drama Pretty Little Liars: Summer School continues the legacy of thrills from the franchise. In the new season, which premiered on May 9, a new villain who may or may not be connected to A, thwarts the summer plans for the students of Millwood High. Amidst all the drama, Jordan Gonzalez‘s character Ash steps into the spotlight in episode 6 just in time for Pride.
On the latest episode of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School debuting June 6, Ash, along with his girlfriend Mouse (Malia Pyles) stand up against the homophobic and transphobic religious group Hell House. The episode is also set during pride and celebrates Ash and his advocacy, being the first transmasculine character introduced in the series, something that makes Gonzalez very proud. He said playing Ash has “definitely been a journey”.
“It’s been the best time bringing him to life and I’ve actually learned a lot about myself within him,” Gonzalez told GLAAD in a recent interview. “On the other side of it, I think because there is so little transmasc representation it can sometimes feel scary and like a lot of pressure to make sure you’re representing your community, and wanting to do right by everyone. Reading fan tweets about how important he is to them helps take some of that pressure off.”
Read what Gonzalez had to say about the legacy of Pretty Little Liars, where he would like to see Ash’s story go, and the importance of transmasc representation in film and TV.
How did you react when you first read the script for episode 6?
I honestly cried reading it. To read “that sort of thing is why trans kids hurt themselves… or worse…” gave me a pit in my stomach because it’s not just a line that exists in this fictional world, it’s true and real in the real world. Just as Ash and Mouse do, we have to continue to mobilize together and not give up our fight. Anti-trans legislation is at an all-time high, and it’s extremely important to talk about the effects of it. I’m so grateful that Lindsay and Roberto understand the timely importance of that, and maybe it’ll help change one person’s heart.
What is your connection to the original Pretty Little Liars series? Were you a huge fan?
I loved the original! I mean, who didn’t really? I love the fan base that the OG built, I swear we have the best fans. They’re so invested in the mystery, that it’s fun to interact with. I also love that they think Ash is a Caleb Rivers because my favorite OG PLL line is “Call off your techno-boy-toy or I tell the cops what your mom keeps in the lasagna box.” Ash Romero techno-boy-toy 2.0.
Why do you think the LGTBQ community connects with the PLL franchise?
That is a great question that I’ll probably think about for a while. I don’t know that I have a solid answer — but aside from being ahead of its time with Emily coming out, I think everyone, in general, enjoys a campy mystery. Also, a plot with strong — but messy — female leads? Absolutely.
Where would you like to see the character of Ash go?
It doesn’t make any sense for him to become an athlete out of the blue but selfishly because I’m getting to relive my own high school experience, I’d love for him to join the football team.
What do you think it would have been like to see a character on TV like Ash when you were younger?
It would’ve been everything to me. As kids, we all look towards media to find someone we relate to and dream about someday being just like them. Trans kids deserve to have that too. Especially right now. If Ash is that for one single person, it’s all worth it.
What would you like to see more of in TV and Film when it comes to LGTBQ representation?
I think the last time I checked the statistics it was something like transmasc people make up only 5% of representation in the media. I mean just saying that statistic out loud reminds me of the weight of how important a character like Ash is — especially in the YA space. So I’ll start there… more transmasc stories.
I would love a transmasc rom com. Can you imagine being a kid and seeing a transmasc be unapologetically himself, bleeding heart, dancing across the steps of a stadium like Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You? Because I can and I think it’s long overdue. Something I love so much about Ash’s storyline is that he is in a healthy, supportive, and loving relationship with Mouse and I don’t think that’s shown as much as it should be in the media. That we can be accepted by a lover, and that the relationship can be healthy.
This interview was edited for clarity. Watch Pretty Little Liars: Summer School Thursdays on Max.