Laverne Cox from the series Orange is the New Black at the Emmy awards. Photo: Mario Anzuoni/ReutersBBC comedy Boy Meets Girl made headlines when it started at the beginning of September, featuring a major role for a transgender character played by a transgender actor.
The show stars Rebecca Root, who plays Judy, and sees her character falling in love with Leo, from Newcastle.
Root told the BBC: “I really believe that it [this show] will demystify my community, it will increase the visibility of the trans population. In a way it’s a shame it’s 2015 for goodness’ sake, and we’re only having this conversation now.”
Another transgender star making a name for herself is Laverne Cox.
Cox, star of the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black, was featured on the cover of Time magazine in May 2014.
She appeared on the cover alongside the headline ‘The transgender tipping point’.
She told Time: “If someone needs to express their gender in a way that is different, that is okay, and they should not be denied healthcare.
“They should not be bullied. They don’t deserve to be victims of violence... that’s what people need to understand, that it’s okay and that if you are uncomfortable with it, then you need to look at yourself.”
Coronation Street was the first UK soap to explore a transgender storyline, with Hayley Cropper, but the part was played by actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.