Entertainment Weekly is all aglow at the prospect of "another milestone role in broadcast TV diversity." They reported CBS has cast transgender actor (Charles) Laverne Cox in its legal procedural pilot Doubt.
The Orange is the New Black cast member will play a transgender Ivy League-educated attorney, described as “competitive as she is compassionate. She’s fierce, funny and the fact that she’s experienced injustice first hand makes her fight all the harder for her clients.” EW added:
The Doubt role was always conceived as a transgender character, and it’s tough to imagine a better catch for the part – Cox made the cover of Time magazine last year in a story about the transgender movement. While there have been plenty of transgender characters on broadcast TV shows in the past, they are often short-term parts or comedic roles.
The show is being made by from longtime Grey’s Anatomy executive producers Tony Phelan and Joan Rater.
Cox also became a first when he was nominated for an Emmy this year for Orange. Cox returns to the women-in-prison drama for its third season this summer on Netflix.
