Cis Actors in Trans Roles: Why It Matters
TW: discussion of transphobia, quotes which include transphobic slurs, etc., proceed with general caution
In January of 2019, Ben Whishaw won a Golden Globe for his role in “A Very English Scandal”, a TV miniseries about a 70’s British scandal wherein the leader of the Liberal party attempted to have his ex-lover, Norman Scott, killed in order to silence him. Excellent three episodes, my highest recommendations.
After this win and backstage, Whishaw was asked about his take on straight actors choosing not to take on explicitly gay roles (the question asked specifically in response to Darren Criss’s decision to no longer do so). A gay man himself, Ben Whishaw said that, as long as there is an even field for all, he doesn’t mind who plays what: “…I really believe that actors can embody and portray anything and we shouldn’t be defined only by what we are. On the other hand, I think there needs to be greater equality. I would like to see more gay actors playing straight roles.”
I’m inclined to agree — in the cases of portrayals of sexuality, at least. There’s a significant amount of debate on either side of the issue, and I see validity in both arguments. You can see no issue in a straight man playing a gay character, and you can want gay people to be able to tell their own stories. I’m planted somewhere firmly in the middle…
