Because many people are sheltering in place during COVID-19, they are seeking comfort from stories and characters on TV, online, and on streaming platforms. GLAAD is highlighting performances from trans actors playing trans roles over the past 12 months just in time for Daytime Emmys voting and looking ahead to For Your Consideration Emmy campaigns over the next few months.
Actor Scott Turner Schofield advanced to the Blue Ribbon Round of consideration for his role as Max / Dr. Brantly on Amazon Prime’s “Studio City.” Schofield who, in 2015, made history as the first trans person to recur on the daytime soap “The Bold and the Beautiful,” joins many of his co-stars in the new series which has been called a “love letter to soaps.” The Daytime Emmy Award nominations were announced May 21, and recognized Scott’s performance as well as Rowin Amone for hers as Ester in the digital series “King Ester” executive produced and co-starring Angelica Ross.
While neither performer was recognized with the best acting honor during the virtual award show on July 19, their nominations in and of themselves are historic and significant.
.@rowinamone & I are the 2nd & 3rd actors nominated for #Emmys, after @Lavernecox. Tomorrow we find out if we won @DaytimeEmmys: Outstanding Leading Actress, & Outstanding Guest Actor in the Digital Dramas @Kingesterseries & @studiocity_show!
Watch usL: https://t.co/t7OhXwQM03 pic.twitter.com/nJV7szh4H0— ScottTurnerSchofield (@turnerschofield) July 19, 2020
Because many of the official FYC events have been postponed or cancelled this year, there will likely be a much stronger social media component to the campaigns leading up to the Primetime Emmy Awards still scheduled for September.
We know a few actors have been put forward for consideration, including Angelica Ross for her role as Candy in “Pose” on FX, Jen Richards for her role as Anna Madrigal in “Tales of the City” on Netflix, Theo Germaine as Chris in “Work in Progress” on Showtime, Shakina Nayfack as Ava in “Transparent Musicale Finale” on Amazon, and Leo Sheng for his role as Micah Lee in “The L Word: Generation Q” on Showtime.
Here are other trans actors who have played trans characters over the past 12 months who are eligible for Emmy consideration and, in many cases, whose work is available to watch, view, rent, buy, and/or stream from the comfort of your phone, computer, or TV right now. Many can be found on multiple distribution platforms.
Those on broadcast include:
Brian Michael Smith as Paul Strickland for FOX’s “9-1-1: Lone Star“
Isaiah Stannard as Ben Marks for NBC’s “Good Girls“
Alex Blue Davis as Dr. Casey Parker for ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”
Nicole Maines as Nia Nal for The CW’s “Supergirl“
Bex Taylor-Klaus as Deputy Bishop for Fox’s “Deputy“
Alexandra Grey as Melody Barnes for Fox’s “Empire“
Those on cable include:
Eve Lindley as Simone for AMC’s “Dispatches from Elsewhere”
Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason for Showtime’s “Billions”
Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn for HBO’s “Euphoria”
Logan Rozos as Star Child and Trace Lysette as Femi for OWN’s “David Makes Man”
Brian Michael Smith as Pierce Williams and Leo Sheng as Micah Lee for Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q”
Theo Germaine as Chris for Showtime’s “Work in Progress”
MJ Rodriguez as Blanca Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson as Elektra Abundance, Indya Moore as Angel, Hailie Sahar as Lulu, and Angelica Ross as Candy for FX’s “Pose”
Garcîa as Matthew for Freeform’s “Party of Five”
Jen Richards as Margo Fairchild for HBO’s “Mrs. Fletcher”
Those on streaming include:
Jen Richards as Anna Madrigal, Garcia as Jake Rodriguez, and Daniela Vega as Ysela in Netflix’s “Tales of the City”
Shakina Nayfack as Ava, Alexandra Billings as Davina, Trace Lysette as Shea, and Sophia Giannamore as Younger Maura in Amazon’s “Transparent: Musicale Finale”
Lachlan Watson as Theo Putnam for Netflix’s “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”
Theo Germaine as James Sullivan for Netflix’s “The Politician”
Jacob Tobia as Double Trouble for Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power”
Joslyn DeFreece as Brigitte Kramer on CBS All Access’ “Strange Angel”
Those for web series include:
Rain Valdez‘s “Razor Tongue” on YouTube
Regardless of the nominations and wins, the increase in authentic trans representation on television is something to celebrate. Share with GLAAD on social media the trans actors and stories you’ve seen or would like to see more of using the #TransLoveStories hashtag.
To find out more about the progress and state of LGBTQ representation on television, check out GLAAD’s latest Where We Are on TV report.
Updated: July 19, 2020