16 Films That Cast Trans Actors in Cis Roles and Nobody Noticed

For decades, transgender actors were restricted to roles that specifically focused on their gender identity, often in tragic or sensationalized narratives. A significant shift has occurred in recent years as casting directors prioritize talent over typecasting, placing trans actors in roles where their gender history is irrelevant to the character. This evolution allows performers to inhabit doctors, students, villains, and heroes without the script ever addressing their transness. The following films feature trans actors delivering compelling performances in cisgender or gender-neutral roles.

‘Barbie’ (2023)

Hari Nef portrays Dr. Barbie, one of the many variations of the iconic doll in Greta Gerwig’s massive summer hit. The character is treated simply as a doctor and a respected member of the Barbie community, with no reference to gender history or transition. Nef’s performance contributes to the film’s broader message that Barbie can be anything, reinforcing the inclusivity of the Barbieland world. The role focuses entirely on the character’s profession and her place within the sparkling ensemble cast.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

Australian actor Morgan Davies plays Danny, a teenager who inadvertently unleashes a demonic force upon his family after discovering a mysterious book. Danny is a cisgender male character who drives the plot by finding the Necronomicon and plays a central role in the ensuing horror. Davies leads much of the film’s intense action sequences and emotional beats as the family fights for survival against the Deadites. The casting focuses purely on Davies’ ability to portray a terrified but resilient youth in a high-stakes horror setting.

‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ (2019)

Zach Barack made history as the first openly transgender actor to appear in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. He plays a classmate of Peter Parker and is one of the students caught up in the chaotic events of the school trip to Europe. The character is a typical high school student, and the film does not address his gender identity at all, treating him as just another member of the group. Barack’s inclusion marks a significant step toward normalizing the presence of trans actors in background and supporting roles in major franchises.

‘Together Together’ (2021)

Patti Harrison stars as Anna, a cisgender woman who becomes a gestational surrogate for a single man in his 40s. The film explores the unique, platonic intimacy that develops between the two characters during the pregnancy. Harrison’s performance is grounded and comedic, focusing on the complexities of surrogacy and the boundaries of friendship. Casting a trans woman as a pregnant surrogate challenges traditional casting norms and highlights Harrison’s impressive range as a romantic comedy lead.

‘Hustlers’ (2019)

Trace Lysette appears as Tracey, one of the dancers at the strip club who works alongside the characters played by Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu. The character is a cisgender woman navigating the financial crisis and the club’s changing dynamics. Lysette, who worked as a dancer in New York prior to her acting career, brought authentic experience and grit to the role. The film treats her presence as matter-of-fact, focusing on the camaraderie and financial struggles of the women in the industry.

‘The Sisters Brothers’ (2018)

Rebecca Root plays Mayfield, a powerful and intimidating town leader in this dark Western comedy. In the original novel, the character was a man, but the film adaptation reimagines Mayfield as a woman. Root plays the role with a commanding presence, and the character is treated as a cisgender female antagonist who controls the local economy. This casting choice allows Root to inhabit a gritty, period-specific role that defies the typical typecasting often seen in the Western genre.

‘Escape Room: Tournament of Champions’ (2021)

Indya Moore stars as Brianna, a travel blogger and survivor of a previous deadly game who becomes trapped in a new series of puzzles. The character is a cisgender woman who uses her wits and resilience to navigate the lethal traps set by the Minos Corporation. Moore’s role is physically demanding and action-oriented, focusing on the character’s trauma response and survival instincts. The film integrates Moore into the ensemble of survivors without making their gender identity a plot point.

‘Talk to Me’ (2022)

Zoe Terakes plays Hayley, a rough-around-the-edges teenager who hosts the parties where the possessed hand is used. Hayley is a cisgender character who bullies the protagonist and drives the peer pressure within the group. Terakes delivers an intense performance that grounds the supernatural elements in realistic teenage aggression. The role demonstrates Terakes’ ability to play antagonistic, masculine-presenting cisgender characters in the horror genre.

‘The Lost City’ (2022)

Patti Harrison steals scenes as Allison, the social media manager for Sandra Bullock’s romance novelist character. Allison is a cisgender woman who is obsessed with engagement metrics and maintaining the author’s public image. Harrison brings her signature deadpan humor to the role, creating a memorable comedic character in a big-budget adventure film. The performance highlights her comedic timing and ability to play eccentric professional characters in a mainstream setting.

‘Colette’ (2018)

Jake Graf portrays Gaston de Caillavet, a cisgender male aristocrat and friend of the titular character’s husband. The period drama is set in turn-of-the-century France and features Graf in a supporting role that fits seamlessly into the historical setting. Graf’s performance is that of a typical French nobleman of the era, interacting with the main cast in social settings. This role exemplifies how trans men can be cast in historical dramas in roles that align with their gender presentation.

‘Valley of Bones’ (2017)

Alexandra Billings plays Kimberly, a ranch owner who becomes involved in a paleontological dig on her property. The character is a cisgender woman with a tough exterior and a complicated past, unrelated to gender identity. Billings, known for her trans roles in television, steps into a character defined by her land ownership and her authority. The role allows Billings to showcase her dramatic range in a modern Western thriller setting.

‘Chick Fight’ (2020)

Dominique Jackson plays Naomi, a fierce competitor in an underground all-female fight club. The character is a cisgender woman who serves as an intimidating opponent and mentor figure within the fighting circuit. Jackson brings the physicality and commanding presence she is known for to an action-comedy context. The role focuses on athleticism and combat skills rather than the actor’s personal history.

‘Last Christmas’ (2019)

Rebecca Root appears as Dr. Addis, the medical professional who attends to Emilia Clarke’s character during her hospital visits. The role is a straightforward depiction of a doctor delivering news and care to a patient. Root plays the character as a cisgender woman, integrating naturally into the romantic comedy’s London setting. This type of casting normalizes the presence of trans actors in professional, everyday roles on screen.

‘Cuckoo’ (2024)

Hunter Schafer stars as Gretchen, a 17-year-old girl who moves to the German Alps with her family and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy. Gretchen is a cisgender teenager and the film’s “final girl,” carrying the emotional and physical weight of the horror mystery. Schafer is in nearly every frame of the movie, driving the narrative as a traditional horror protagonist. The film relies entirely on her acting ability to sell the suspense and fear without relying on gender identity tropes.

‘The Danish Girl’ (2015)

While the film centers on a trans narrative, trans actor Jake Graf plays Henri, a cisgender male art dealer. Graf appears in scenes set in the art world, interacting with the protagonists as a peer and colleague. His presence in a cisgender role within a film about trans history provides a meta-layer of representation. It shows that trans actors can inhabit the world of the film outside of the specific trans roles being told.

‘A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting’ (2020)

Indya Moore portrays Peggy Drood, the glamorous and villainous witch who kidnaps the child the protagonist is babysitting. The character is a supernatural entity presented as a female sorceress, fitting into the fantasy archetype. Moore’s performance relies on heavy makeup and costuming to create a larger-than-life antagonist. The role allows Moore to play a fantasy villain where gender history is irrelevant to the magical context.

Let us know in the comments which of these performances surprised you the most and what other films you’ve seen where casting prioritized talent over labels.