Groundbreaking kids’ TV show about trans teen wins International Emmy: ‘This is a win for kindness’
Trans actor Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford in First Day. (YouTube/ Australian Children’s Television Foundation Australian Children’s Television Foundation)
First Day, an Australian TV show about a trans 12-year-old, has won the International Kids Emmy for best live-action series.
The show follows Hannah Bradford, played by trans actor Evie Macdonald, as she enters her first year of high school.
Macdonald’s role marks the first time that a trans actor has taken a leading role on Australian TV.
While Hannah must tackle the same challenges as other kids in starting at a brand-new school, she must also “find the courage to live as her most authentic self”.
Written and directed by Julie Kalceff, First Day covers many issues faced by trans kids, and has been crucial in representing trans experiences on screen in Australia, and around the world.
According to If, the series has been picked up by Hulu in the US and CBBC in the UK, as well broadcasters in France, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Taiwan, Israel, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.
We won an Emmy!!! https://t.co/D4qioHihhn
— Julie Kalceff (@JulieKalceff) October 12, 2021
Accepting the award, producer Kirsty Stark said: “It’s so important that kids all around Australia have had the opportunity to see the show, and for trans kids to see themselves represented on screen.”
The mini series has already taken home awards at the Rockie Awards, Rose d’Or Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and the Australian Teachers of Media Awards.
Producer and CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation Kate Croser told TV Tonight in a statement: “This is not only a huge win for First Day’s South Australian production companies Epic Films and KOJO, and for South Australia’s screen sector at large, but a huge win for kindness and integrity in storytelling and authentic on-screen representation.
“The SAFC is so proud to have supported this ground-breaking and multi award-winning children’s series which has been a trailblazer for diversity both on and off screen, heralding young star Evie Macdonald as Australia’s first transgender actor in a leading role on Australian television.”
The second season of First Day is currently in production, and will premiere next year.
