Marvel adds trans non-binary actor Zoe Terakes to Ironheart cast alongside Shea CouleƩ

Trans non-binary actor Zoe Terakes has been cast in a key role in the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart, Deadline reports.

The actor, who starred in Primeā€™s Nine Perfect Strangers, is the second trans actor to be cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the first in a Disney+ series.Ā 

They follow in the footsteps of trans man Zach Barak who played Zach Cooper in Spiderman: Far From Home.
Sharing the news on his social media, Terakes said: ā€œUnbelievably stoked. This oneā€™s for the trans guys n girls n theysā€¦ so much love.”

It’s shaping up to be a series of firsts as last week Ironheart announced Drag Race icon Shea CouleĆ© as the first drag queen to enter the MCU.

Ironheart follows the story of RiRi Williams (Dominique Thorne) in a sequel to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. RiRi is a genius inventor who creates a suit of armour that rivals Iron Manā€™s.

Although the details of both their roles are still under wraps, with CouleƩ and Terakes joining forces, this Disney+ series is already making LGBTQ+ Marvel history.

In CoulĆ©eā€™s announcement last week, she wrote: ā€œBEYOND excited to be strutting out of the werkroom right into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Ā 

ā€œWords cannot express how excited I am to be a part of this amazing project! Acting was my first love, and Iā€™m thrilled to be doing it again in such a big way!ā€
Theories are already circulating for what roles Terakes and CouleĆ© play. “Ironheart is going to have a magic vs technology thing going on. What if Zoe Terakes is playing a magic user? Or a mutant? I could see him/they as Justice,” one fan wrote.

While others have posed the idea that CouleƩ will bring to life Darkveil, the first drag queen in the Marvel comics.

Mostly, fans are sharing Terakes’ joy at being cast, with one person tweeting: “I’m gonna throw things, pump my fists, and yell ‘hot damn, Zoe Terakes!’ on the hour every hour.”

While another added: “Marvel casting Zoe Terakes is a big slayyyyyy.”