15 Transgender Actors Breaking Barriers in Film and TV

Transgender performers are changing film and television in lasting ways. They are leading hit shows, carrying major films, and shaping characters that feel true and lived in. Their work is pushing studios to think bigger about who gets to be at the center of a story and who gets to shape it behind the scenes.

This list celebrates actors whose talent and presence have opened doors for others. Many of them have become advocates for better storytelling and better workplaces. All of them continue to build exciting careers that help audiences see new possibilities on screen.

Elliot Page

Elliot Page has grown up on screen and continues to evolve in front of viewers. His work in projects like ‘The Umbrella Academy’ shows a performer with sharp instincts and a gift for quiet intensity. He brings emotional clarity to every role and audiences feel that honesty.

His transition and continued presence in a popular series helped many people feel seen. By living openly, he helped shift the conversation in rooms where big decisions get made. His voice carries weight in both creative and cultural spaces, and that visibility matters.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox is a breakthrough star whose performance in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ reached viewers everywhere. Her character resonated because it felt real and complicated. She brought grace and strength to every moment and helped change what many people expected from television.

Beyond acting, she is a powerful advocate for inclusion. She uses her platform to speak about representation and opportunity. Her success makes it easier for studios to back stories led by transgender performers and for audiences to welcome them.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez delivered a star making turn in ‘Pose’. Her performance balanced warmth and ambition with a quiet steadiness that held the show together. She proved that audiences connect with complex transgender leads when they are given the space to shine.

Her achievements have rippled through the industry. Casting teams and executives watched viewers rally around her work, which helped widen the path for other actors. She continues to choose roles that highlight range and depth while keeping community front and center.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer burst onto the scene with ‘Euphoria’. She blends raw emotion with careful detail in a way that feels both vulnerable and confident. Her presence on screen is magnetic and audiences lean in when she appears.

She brings creative vision off screen as well. From writing to fashion, she shapes how her characters look and feel. That kind of authorship makes her a model for new talent who want to take up space in every part of the process.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore became widely known through ‘Pose’ and quickly stood out as a performer with range. They bring intensity to dramatic scenes and a playful spark to lighter moments. Their work invites viewers to sit with nuance and empathy.

Indya also uses their voice to challenge narrow casting and expand what opportunity looks like. Their presence in both television and film shows that transgender performers belong across genres and budgets. They help set a new normal where talent leads the way.

Brian Michael Smith

Brian Michael Smith carved a place in network television with ‘9 1 1 Lone Star’ and earlier roles that showcased steady craft. He plays first responders with conviction and humanity, grounding high stakes stories with believable detail. Viewers trust him, and that trust anchors ensemble shows.

He has broken ground for transgender men in roles that are not defined only by identity. Seeing him in uniform and in leadership helps shift expectations about who can play what. His success encourages creators to imagine characters first and to cast boldly.

Jamie Clayton

Jamie Clayton first drew attention with ‘Sense8’, where she brought warmth and curiosity to a global story. She later took on genre work like ‘The L Word Generation Q’ and a bold turn in ‘Hellraiser’. She thrives in roles that mix heart, intelligence, and a touch of danger.

Her career shows how versatile casting can expand a franchise or reboot. When audiences respond to her, it signals that authenticity enriches even the most stylized worlds. She keeps proving that great genre storytelling welcomes new faces and new perspectives.

Trace Lysette

Trace Lysette earned early recognition with ‘Transparent’ and stepped into the spotlight with the film ‘Monica’. She carries quiet moments with deep feeling and lets small gestures speak volumes. Her performances linger long after the credits roll.

She has been open about the realities of the business and the need for thoughtful roles. By championing complex parts, she has helped move casting away from stereotypes. Her path shows how persistence and craft can change the kinds of stories that get told.

Alexandra Billings

Alexandra Billings brought humor and compassion to ‘Transparent’ and continues to work across television and theater. She has a knack for finding the human heartbeat inside a character. Audiences come away feeling like they met a person, not just a plot device.

She is also a teacher and mentor who lifts others as she climbs. That influence reaches far beyond any one show. By sharing knowledge and insisting on dignity, she helps build an industry that is better prepared to welcome new talent.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross made a strong impression in ‘Pose’ and then shifted tones in ‘American Horror Story’. She moves easily between vulnerability and power, which keeps her characters surprising. Her screen presence is crisp and memorable.

She is a tech founder and a speaker who connects artistry with advocacy. Her career shows that transgender performers can lead in multiple fields at once. That message helps young artists imagine bigger futures in front of and behind the camera.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef brings a cool wit to comedy and a sharp eye to drama. Viewers saw that blend in ‘Transparent’ and later in films like ‘Barbie’. She plays with tone in a way that keeps scenes alive and modern.

Her fashion and writing work add to her creative footprint. She helps shape culture as well as respond to it. That mix of influence makes room for more fluid careers and more open minded casting.

Patti Harrison

Patti Harrison is one of the most exciting comic voices working today. She stole scenes in ‘Shrill’ and delivered a tender turn in ‘Together Together’. Her humor can be bold or gently absurd and both land with ease.

She has shown that transgender performers can lead romantic stories and carry offbeat comedies. By doing both, she widens the field for everyone who follows. Her rise reminds studios that audiences want fresh voices and fresh rhythms.

Josie Totah

Josie Totah brought spark and confidence to the ‘Saved by the Bell’ revival. She has the timing of a seasoned sitcom star and the heart to carry emotional beats. Her characters feel stylish and quick on their feet.

Her journey has unfolded in public and has made fans feel connected to her growth. Young viewers in particular see themselves in her wins and setbacks. That connection turns into real momentum for better youth centered stories.

Daniela Vega

Daniela Vega drew worldwide acclaim with ‘A Fantastic Woman’. Her performance is measured and luminous, and it invites careful attention. She showed global audiences what happens when a transgender woman leads a film with full complexity.

She continues to push for stories where identity is part of life rather than the whole plot. Her success opened doors in international cinema and proved that audiences welcome new perspectives. She stands as a quiet force for change across languages and markets.

Asia Kate Dillon

Asia Kate Dillon helped redefine how prestige television can handle gender with ‘Billions’. They brought clarity and focus to a high pressure world and made it look effortless. Audiences met a character who was brilliant first and also nonbinary.

They have also appeared in action films like ‘John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum’. That range shows casting teams that nonbinary performers can move across genres with ease. Their work continues to nudge the industry toward more precise and respectful storytelling.

Share the transgender actors who inspire you most in the comments and tell us which performances you think everyone should watch next.