Trans In Television

Although not on the big screen but on the little screen, on the CMT network, the Co-Writer & Co-Executive Producer of Her Story has been cast in Nashville.

'Nashville' returns with transgender actress, new plot lines
The Telegram.com
By Kristin M. Hall, The Associated Press
December 29, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The new season of "Nashville" starts with traditional songs rooted in gospel and folk music rather than big production country songs.

Rayna, played by Connie Britton, finds a revelation after hearing a blind man singing "Wayfaring Stranger," an Appalachian tune estimated to be two centuries old. And Juliette, played by Hayden Panettiere, sees an angelic vision in white singing the hymn "God Shall Wipe All Tears Away."

Cancelled by ABC after four seasons, the new season of "Nashville" on CMT , which begins Jan. 5, aims to reflect more diversity in both the music and the cast. The new season also will be available on Hulu.
[…]
Richards, who earned an Emmy nomination for her web series, "Her Story," said word spread quickly within the transgender acting community that "Nashville" was casting because there are so few television roles available.

"I only get called in for trans roles and then I lose those parts to men because they think I look too much like a regular girl to play a trans part," Richards said.
[…]
Herskovitz said the show will address Richards' gender later in the season, but said many people likely will not even notice in the first episodes.

First it is great that she has cast in “Nashville” and second it is great that they are downplaying her being trans, but… why do we need to be cast in a trans part? Why can’t we be cast as just an ordinary man or woman?