Depictions of trans issues on screen have always missed the mark with one fact – the roles are
normally played by cis actors. However, there have been a few exceptions.
Laverne Cox
Best known for her portrayal of Sophia Burset in the Netflix and became the first openly trans
actor to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. She works hard as an advocate for trans
rights as well and is currently taking on the US Census Bureau and putting pressure on the
organisation to take count of the amount of people identifying as trans in an effort to make them
less visible.
Richard O Brian
In a time when gender was even more binary than it is today, Richard O Brian not only openly
stated he felt 70% male, 30% female but he also made a gender-bending cult film loved by
millions! The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a liberating film for many who longed to pull on
some fishnets and thrust their hips!
Alexis Arquette
At nineteen, Alexis Arquette landed her first sizable film role, playing transvestite Georgette in
the screen adaptation of controversial novel Last Exit to Brooklyn. The majority of Arquette’s film
work has been in low-budget or independent films. Alexis Arquette also made a cameo appearance
in Robbie Williams’ “She’s Madonna” video.
Scott Turner Schofield
Scott is a transgender male performer. He has toured internationally with his one-person shows,
“Underground TRANSit”, “Debutante Balls”, and “Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps” since
2001. In May 2015, Schofield became the first openly transgender actor to play a major role on
daytime television, as the character Nick on the show The Bold and the Beautiful.
Two well loves soaps have almost simultaneously decided to include trans storylines. But
unlike previous attempts, this time the shows will actually include trans actors! Eastenders
has become well known over the years for tackling subjects head on and it was the first major
British television series to regally feature a gay couple (Colin and Barry). In a similar way,
teenage soap Hollyoaks has covered bullying, suicide, cancer and other difficult subjects.
Both now feature a trans actor who are taking on roles set to bring trans issues into the public
consciousness.
Riley Carter Millington, who is 21 and from Stretford, studied
drama A level and Eccles Sixth Form College and was over the
moon to be offered the part of Kyle, the fist trans person to be
featured on Eastenders. Kyle appeared briefly on the square in
October but will be involved more heavily in storylines towards
the end of the year. “I cannot wait to really get stuck in with
filming” said Riley shortly before he started his new role. “I can
honestly say that I have now fulfilled my two biggest dreams -
to be living my life as a man and to be an actor.”
In Hollyoaks, Anne Wallace plays the part
of Sally St Claire, a non-nonsense headmistress who has come
in to take over the running of Hollyoaks High School. Annie
was an advisor for Coronation Street when they introduced
a trans character – Hayley Cropper. She later studied at the
Manchester Met School of Theatre before making her TV
debut in Shameless in 2011. Anne commented: “I’m delighted
to be joining Hollyoaks as Mrs St Claire. She’s such a great
character and my first couple of scenes really show off her
feisty personality - she’s a force to be reckoned with. I hope
the viewers love her as much as I do.”
Taking Trans to the screen
Laverne Cox
Richard O Brian
Alexis Arquette
Scott Turner Schofield
Trans actors to
star in two
major UK soaps
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