Supergirl To Introduce TV's First Transgender Superhero

Supergirl series is prepping to launch its upcoming fourth season. It will be the first live-action TV series to feature a transgender superhero. Activist and actor Nicole Maines, who is transgender herself, will play the role of Nia Nal, BBC reported.

"It seems only fitting that we have a trans superhero for trans kids to look up to," Nicole said after the announcement at Comic Con in San Diego, California

Nia Nal will be a transgender superhero, for the first time on TV.

“It feels fitting to say with great power comes great responsibility. I’m nervous because I want to do it right.”

Casting news: the first transgender superhero ever on television is Nicole Maines playing Dreamer! Huge applause as she walks onstage, making history. #Supergirl #SDCC18

— Sydney Bucksbaum (@SydneyBucksbaum) July 21, 2018

At Comic Con, the plotline of the superhero series was unveiled and the character has been described as "a soulful young transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others"

Speaking to Variety, Nicole Maines said: "I want fans to take away an understanding of trans people. We can be anybody, we can be who we want, we can be superheroes -- because in many ways we are."

Under the DC Comics banner, Supergirl is a favourite among fans. Actress, Melissa Benoist, is being replaced with the new character, Nia Nal, aka Dreamer, who will be introduced as an employee. "Nia is so much more than just a trans superhero. She is a reporter, she is hopeful, she's powerful, wise and such a good friend," said Nicole.

READ: Lesbian ‘Batwoman’ TV Series To Be Out In December

We can't wait to see our friend @NicoleAMaines play Nia Nal, the first trans superhero on @TheCWSupergirl! Check out Nicole's speech at the 27th Annual #GLAADawards: https://t.co/3ZS4qPNIam

— GLAAD (@glaad) July 21, 2018

“We can be whoever we want, we can do whatever we want, we can be superheroes, because in many ways we are,” Maines added, “We’ve had trans representation in television for a while but it hasn’t been the right representation.”

She continued “I think we’re in a time right now where more than ever representation in the media matters. And what we see on television has a very dramatic effect on our society.”

Maines hit the headlines when she won a discrimination lawsuit after her school refused to let her use the girls’ bathroom in 2014. It was the first time a transgender person fought and was allowed to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.

Feature Image Credit: Sky News

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