Laverne Cox makes history with new TV role.
The “Orange Is The New Black” actress will play a series regular character in the upcoming CBS legal drama “Doubt,” making her the first transgender actress to portray a transgender main character on a broadcast series.
As you may recall, Cox, 31, was part of both the show’s original pilot, which got a pass last season, and the since then second pilot, which replaced the two original leads with “Grey’s Anatomy” alum Katherine Heigl and Steven Pasquale. “Doubt,” which is produced by “Grey’s Anatomy'” Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, features Heigl as a “smart, chic, successful defense lawyer at a boutique firm [who] starts to fall for her charismatic client, who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime.” reports Deadline.
Cox gushed about the announcement via Instagram, writing, “We are picked up for series. So grateful and so happy. Congrats to the entire #Doubt family. Can’t wait to see you all again. #cbs #PickedUp #Gratitude #manifested.”
Although the pilot is still filming with no release date just yet, Cox’s new role looks very promising. In the meantime, the longtime activist continues to use her influence to overturn HB2, the so-called “North Carolina bathroom law.”
“Those bills are about making us not exist,” Cox said at the 4th annual Forbes Women’s Summit this week. “For decades [we’ve] been told that we don’t exist … But I’m a testament that trans people do exist. There are trans people all over this country that exist.”
Fortunately for Cox, she’s got some big name allies in her corner. The backlash over the “bathroom law” was almost immediate. Companies like PayPal and Deutsche Bank canceled business expansion in the southern state. Musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas have also cancelled North Carolina tour stops. If you ask us, together, they may very well get the response they desire.
Shout out to Cox for her continued work and congrats on the new role. Show her some love in the comment section below.
