Ryan Murphy’s New Show Casts Five Trans Actors as Series Regulars, Makes History
“Pose,” a pilot from Ryan Murphy and FX, has already made history — and it hasn’t even begun filming yet. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the 1980s New York City-set series will feature five transgender actors as series regulars: MJ Rodriguez (“Luke Cage”), Indya Moore (“Saturday Church”), Hailie Sahar (“Transparent”), Angelica Ross (“Claws”), and model Dominique Jackson. Each of the five performers will portray trans characters.
Created by Murphy, his frequent collaborator Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals, “Pose” “looks at the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in 1980s New York: the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe, the downtown social and literary scene, and the ball culture world.”
Ryan Jamaal Swain (“God’s Rock”), Billy Porter (Broadway’s “Kinky Boots”), and Dyllon Burnside (Broadway’s “Holler If Ya Hear Me”) will also star in the drama.
“We are thrilled that ‘Pose’ pushes the narrative forward by centering on the unique and under-told experiences of trans women and gay people of color,” said Canals. “Ryan has assembled a strong team of storytellers and innovators to collaborate on telling this important narrative. As a Bronx-bred queer writer of color, I’m honored to aid in ushering this groundbreaking show into homes.”
Up and coming trans directors will be mentored behind-the-scenes on “Pose” as part of Murphy’s Half Initiative. The hugely successful program marks Murphy’s commitment to hiring at least 50 percent women, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color as directors on his shows. In addition to “Pose,” Murphy’s current series include “American Horror Story, “American Crime Story,” and “Feud.”
“Pose” will begin production next month in New York. Our Lady J (“Transparent”) and activist Janet Mock will join Canals as writers on the project. Nina Jacobson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sherry Marsh, Silas Howard, and Brad Simpson are executive producing.
