The Most Influential Trans Actors of the Past 10 Years
Over the past decade, trans performers moved from the margins into lead roles, headline projects, and major award conversations. Audiences saw more characters whose identities informed the story without limiting it, and that visibility opened doors across film, television, and streaming.
This list highlights actors whose work shaped casting, storytelling, and on set culture. Each entry focuses on roles, milestones, and concrete career moves that changed how the industry hires, writes, and promotes talent across platforms.
Elliot Page
Elliot Page led a global hit with the Netflix series ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and worked with the writers and producers to align the character’s transition on screen with his own, which kept the production on schedule and set a widely noted example for showrunning logistics. He also continued to produce and develop projects that put LGBTQ+ stories at the center, building teams that include trans creatives in decision making roles.
His earlier accolades ensured industry leverage that he used to secure inclusive contracts and press commitments. He participated in high profile media rollouts that normalized trans leads on international platforms and engaged in festival circuits that amplified trans representation in mainstream markets.
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox broke through to mass audiences with ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and became the first openly trans person nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category. She later won a Daytime Emmy as an executive producer for a documentary project and continued screen work in titles like ‘Inventing Anna’ while serving as a consistent presence on major red carpets.
She partnered with networks and studios on hiring pipelines for trans crew and consulted on character development across multiple projects. Her consumer brand collaborations and hosting roles increased the visibility of trans talent in broader entertainment coverage.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez headlined ‘Pose’ and earned a historic Golden Globe for her performance. She followed that with a lead role in ‘Loot’ and continued to record and release music that expanded her reach across entertainment mediums.
She worked with studios to staff trans writers and directors on episodes tied to her roles. She also took part in outreach programs that connected casting offices with trans performers for future productions.
Hunter Schafer
Hunter Schafer starred as Jules in ‘Euphoria’ and co wrote a special episode that centered her character’s perspective. She moved into major film territory with ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ and balanced that with a significant fashion profile that kept her in front of global audiences.
She collaborated with show leadership on set protocols that supported young queer and trans cast members. Her campaign work with top design houses extended trans visibility into international advertising and premiere circuits.
Indya Moore
Indya Moore played Angel in ‘Pose’ and used the show’s reach to secure lead campaigns with luxury brands. They also appeared in projects that blended genre and fashion, which sustained a strong presence beyond the series run.
They launched creative ventures that aim to finance and produce work by trans artists. They regularly engage with casting initiatives that connect trans performers with agents and managers for long term career development.
Jamie Clayton
Jamie Clayton portrayed Nomi in ‘Sense8’ and later took on the lead cenobite in ‘Hellraiser’. She joined ‘The L Word: Generation Q’ and continued to book genre roles that placed trans actors in parts not written around identity.
She worked with publicity teams to position trans talent for horror and sci fi press coverage. She also consulted on scripts to remove outdated tropes and helped productions align insurance and stunt policies with inclusive standards.
Daniela Vega
Daniela Vega led ‘A Fantastic Woman’ and became the first openly trans person to present at the Academy Awards. Her film’s platform expanded international distribution for Latin American stories with trans leads.
She maintained a classical music background that broadened festival programming and press interest. She also advised on Spanish language productions that sought trans performers for non stereotyped roles.
Angelica Ross
Angelica Ross appeared in ‘Pose’ and ‘American Horror Story’ and founded TransTech Social to provide training and employment pathways for trans people in tech and media. She brought those skills to productions that needed inclusive hiring and mentorship structures.
She made news on Broadway with ‘Chicago’ and worked with unions and producers to implement equitable audition processes. Her company partnerships supplied productions with vendor lists that include trans owned businesses.
Trace Lysette
Trace Lysette’s early visibility on ‘Transparent’ led to a title role in ‘Monica’, a Venice premiere that secured theatrical distribution and raised the profile of trans led independent film. She also appeared in ‘Hustlers’ alongside an ensemble of marquee names.
She produced and championed projects for festival markets that create jobs for trans crew. She engaged distributors to design marketing plans that center trans leads without relying on stereotypes.
Asia Kate Dillon
Asia Kate Dillon played Taylor Mason on ‘Billions’, one of the first nonbinary series regulars on a major scripted show in the United States. They brought that visibility to film with ‘John Wick: Chapter 3’ and continued to book roles that separate gender identity from character function.
They opened industry conversations about award category rules and submitted letters that encouraged organizations to review gendered classifications. They also participated in training sessions for executives and publicists on respectful language and contract practices.
Brian Michael Smith
Brian Michael Smith became one of the first Black trans men to hold a series regular role on broadcast prime time with ‘9 1 1 Lone Star’. He previously built a steady resume with ‘Queen Sugar’ and guest work that showed casting offices the range of available trans masculine talent.
He collaborated with stunt coordinators and department heads to ensure that safety gear and wardrobe options worked for all body types. He also spoke at academy programs that train casting professionals and directors.
Patti Harrison
Patti Harrison broke out in comedy with appearances on ‘I Think You Should Leave’ and moved into leading film roles with ‘Together Together’. She continued to work in animation and studio comedies, which kept her visible across theatrical and streaming platforms.
She wrote and performed stand up that informed writers rooms about jokes that land without targeting trans identities. She supported indie filmmakers by participating in small budget projects that later found festival and streaming audiences.
Ian Alexander
Ian Alexander debuted on ‘The OA’ and later joined ‘Star Trek Discovery’, bringing trans representation into a legacy science fiction franchise. They also voiced a central character in a major video game, which extended their reach to gaming audiences.
They consulted with costume and makeup departments to accurately reflect character identity. They joined panels that connect casting directors with young trans and nonbinary performers.
Theo Germaine
Theo Germaine earned wide attention with ‘The Politician’ and went on to star in the slasher ‘They Them’. They also contributed to the Showtime series ‘Work in Progress’, which gave additional screen time to trans and nonbinary characters in a grounded setting.
They worked with indie producers to source inclusive crew and below the line talent. They took part in campus and guild events that prepared emerging actors for professional auditions.
Lachlan Watson
Lachlan Watson played Theo Putnam in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and later portrayed Glen and Glenda in ‘Chucky’. Their roles placed nonbinary characters inside teen fantasy and horror franchises with large fan communities.
They developed educational content for festivals and conventions about nonbinary terminology and on set respect. They also participated in casting outreach that identified younger trans performers for youth oriented productions.
Leo Sheng
Leo Sheng starred as Micah Lee in ‘The L Word Generation Q’ and became one of the most visible trans masculine leads on television. He used his platform to help audiences understand the difference between character arcs and real life transition.
He collaborated with writers to make storylines reflect contemporary healthcare realities. He also worked with marketing teams on photo shoots and press materials that accurately represent trans masculine bodies.
Tommy Dorfman
Tommy Dorfman gained notice with ’13 Reasons Why’ and later came out as a trans woman while continuing work in projects like ‘Sharp Stick’. She expanded into fashion and photography, which kept her present in culture coverage beyond screen roles.
She partnered with brands and publications to model inclusive styling and hair and makeup practices. She also joined creative teams as a writer and director to develop stories with trans leads.
Yasmin Finney
Yasmin Finney plays Elle Argent in ‘Heartstopper’, a role that connected with a global teen audience. She joined ‘Doctor Who’ in a key role that placed a young trans actress inside one of television’s longest running franchises.
She worked with schools and organizations on media literacy around trans representation for youth. She also coordinated with fan communities to support safe online spaces for young LGBTQ+ viewers.
Alexandra Billings
Alexandra Billings appeared in ‘Transparent’ and later stepped into a major role on Broadway in ‘Wicked’. Her decades of stage experience helped productions integrate trans performers into commercial theater schedules.
She taught at university programs that train the next generation of performers and directors. She advised casting offices on how to build inclusive call breakdowns and outreach.
Dominique Jackson
Dominique Jackson portrayed Elektra on ‘Pose’ and brought ballroom culture to a broad audience through scripted television. She followed with fashion and reality appearances that maintained visibility after the series ended.
She collaborated with advocacy groups that support trans women of color working in entertainment. She also helped producers source ballroom talent for film and television projects that seek authenticity.
Share the trans actors you think shaped the last decade most in the comments.