The L Word is casting two trans men in new season
The original cast of The L Word
Legendary lesbian TV series The L Word has started casting for its reboot, sparking excitement after advertising for two trans male roles.
According to social media screenshots of the casting call, the show is seeking two trans men to fill roles in the upcoming revival of the series.
The advertisement states it’s looking for a trans man between the ages of 30-50, of any ethnicity, who is years into his transition, as well as an Asian trans man in his 30s who is energetic and bright.
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Fans of the show have greeted the news positively, as many acknowledged the show, which first aired in 2004, wasn’t always the best at representing trans characters.
The show introduced a trans male character in the first episode of its third season back in 2006, but the portrayal has since been described as “problematic.”
The L Word’s original trans male character was “flawed”
Max Sweeney, the trans character, was criticised for being played by a cis female actress (Daniela Sea).
Max was the original trans male character in The L Word. (Credit: The L Word)
In the show, Max becomes a prominent character when he forms a relationship with Jenny (Mia Kirschner) and comes out as trans.
However, as the story develops, Max is at first shunned by the lesbians, both for his gender identity and class.
Despite the backlash, many still applaud The L Word for introducing a trans male character at a time when there was little to no representation of them on screen.
Fans of the groundbreaking series are keen to see what the new trans characters have in store.
as a transman this is kind of revolutionary. i always felt like i 110% didnt belong anywhere near lesbians bc its so easy for people to see me as one in those spaces when im just a trans dude.
— Leaf 🌸COMMISSIONS OPEN🌸 (@Leafisall) April 24, 2019
“As a transman, this is kind of revolutionary. I always felt like I 110% didn’t belong anywhere near lesbians,” one Twitter user commented.
While another simply said: [This is] the perfect reason to watch the existing episodes over again for the 100000th time.”
Other fans spread their wishes for casting directors to be looking for trans women for roles in the show.
The long-awaited The L Word reboot will feature the original cast
In January, it was announced the lesbian drama series is officially being revived with several members of the original cast in line to return.
Although the original series ended with several fan favourites dead or in prison, three of the show’s original cast—Jennifer Beals (Bette), Katherine Moennig (Shane) and Leisha Hailey (Alice)—are all set to reprise their roles.
Marja-Lewis Ryan will serve as showrunner, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
