Hollywood Still Struggles To Catch The Rainbow

The FX TV hit Pose is a landmark for trans creators. But it’s a lonely achievement.

- Anousha Sakoui

Steven Canals has been deep in preparation for his first time directing an episode of prime-time television. The Bronx, N.Y., native is working on the second season of Pose, a show he writes and co-created that has critics generally elated. The opportunity to now direct, he says, “is incredible.”

The FX Networks show has the largest number of trans actors in series regular roles in TV history. It’s an urban fantasia, a soap wherein larger-than-life glamazons fight battles on the dance floor, pantomiming to themes like “executive realness” and “royalty.” Fans took to social media during the Season 2 premiere to share GIFs of characters such as Angel Evangelista, a Puerto Rican sex worker played by trans actor Indya Moore, and quips from sharp-tongued emcee Pray Tell (Billy Porter). The stars have drawn attention everywhere—magazine covers, fashion campaigns, red carpets—and the show was just picked up for a third season.