It is 2026, and major TV productions are still casting cis actors to play trans people.
Last week, HBO announced that The Last of Us had cast cis actor Kyriana Kratter as Lev for the show’s upcoming third season. And that’s notable, because the character Lev is trans—Kratter isn’t.
In the game the show is based on, Lev is a 13-year-old trans boy who features prominently in the storyline of Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever on the show. He’s a major part of the plot, and that’s reflected by Kratter being cast as a series regular, alongside Michelle Mao as Lev’s sister Yara.
Having a trans kid be a major character on a prestige TV show with the reach of The Last of Us is a big deal. The original game actually featured Ian Alexander, a young trans actor, as the voice of Lev. Alexander previously expressed interest in reprising the role, but is now 25 and the character is 13.
HBO reportedly held an “inclusive” casting for Lev, with young actors of various backgrounds auditioning, before landing on the 15-year-old Kratter for the part.
We break down why casting cis actors in trans roles is controversial, and what it means for the future of young trans people seeing themselves in film and TV.
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