10 Of The Best Shows Of The Past Decade With Positive Trans Representation

From Orange Is The New Black To Pose.

If you're transgender and looking to be represented onscreen, it's not uncommon to find offensive and stereotypical portrayals that more often than not don't accurately reflect the trans experience. So if you want some good shows to watch with well-rounded, relatable trans characters, maybe give these a try!

1. Orange is the New Black (2013–2019)

Netflix

Obviously! If you haven't heard about Orange is the New Black's stunning portrayal of a black trans woman in prison, portrayed by the brilliant Laverne Cox, you must have been living under a rock for the past decade. Orange is the New Black premiered in 2013, and from the start Sophia Burset was featured as a prominent character who went through a series of hardships. Her character showed the viewer just how awful it is for trans people in the American prison system, particularly trans women of color. Cox's performance stuns to this day, and anyone who hasn't seen the show yet must know it's not too late to hop on the bandwagon!

2. The L Word: Generation Q (2019–present)

Showtime

We know, the original L Word handled its trans representation...poorly. But Generation Q makes strides in this area, placing trans male characters Pierce and Micah front and center, portrayed by Brian Michael Smith and Leo Sheng, respectively. Where the original series failed, the sequel sets out to do right by its trans representation, and largely succeeds by portraying them as real people, rather than an offensive stereotype. In addition, they even cast trans actress Jamie Clayton to play a cis female character, which is practically unprecedented onscreen!

3. Shameless (2011–2021)

Showtime

Huh? Isn't Shameless that show that makes fun of any and every demographic there is? Well...yes, which is why it came as such a pleasant surprise when they introduced a trans character in Season 7. Trans actor Elliot Fletcher, who plays Trevor, who joins the show as Ian Gallagher's new love interest. While there is a bit of transphobia present on the main characters' parts, Trevor is there to educate the admittedly ignorant Ian and his family, as well as potential transphobic audience members. Sure, the show might feature a slightly offensive joke here and there about practically every group, but overall its attitude toward the trans community is overwhelmingly positive.

4. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018–2020)

Netflix

If you love animation, then this show is perfect for you! Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power features Perfuma, a Princess who rules Plumeria with love and compassion, and is treated with the utmost respect and elegance both by other characters and the writers of the show themselves. In addition, they also introduce a shape-shifting, lizard-like nonbinary character played by Jacob Tobia, who is nonbinary themselves.

5. Big Mouth (2017–present)

Netflix

This is another animated entry and yes, we know Big Mouth isn't everybody's cup of tea. But when they introduced a young trans girl named Natalie in Season 4, it was actually handled surprisingly well! Natalie is put forth not as a vessel to educate or a stereotype, but as just a regular girl who happens to be trans. While this does play a bit into her character's storyline, it's handled with grace and leaves the audience empathizing with her character. She's even voiced by Josie Totah, a rising star who, much like her character, just happens to be trans.

6. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020)

Netflix

Netflix's dark reboot of Sabrina the Teenage Witch is by no means perfect, but one thing working in its favor is its nonchalant handling of Theo Putnam's identity. Allowing this trans masculine character to transition in real time onscreen while mostly unfolding in the background is not unheard of in television, but rarely is it ever handled in such a respectful manner. Although there are some aspects of other potentially trans character that call The Chilling Adventures into question, the importance of Theo as a trans character in the modern age cannot be understated.

7. Sense8 (2015–2018)

Netflix

Sense8 was a phenomenal series cancelled ahead of its time. While it not only has an intriguing and mind-bending plot, one of the coolest things about this show is that one of the main characters is Nomi Marks, a trans hacktivist and vlogger. Nomi and her girlfriend, Amanita, are perhaps one of the most beautifully positive portrayals of a lesbian relationship featuring a trans woman in modern media. To top it all off, the series was created by the trans director duo, the Wachowski Sisters!

8. Supergirl (2015–2021)

The CW / Via culturess.com

Although Supergirl originally premiered on CBS, it was later picked up by the CW, which eventually introduced the character of Dreamer in Season 4. Played by trans actress Nicole Maines, Dreamer makes history as the first-ever transgender superhero to be brought to life onscreen. Maines was crucial in the development of her character's backstory and representation, and quickly became a fan favorite. Although the CW's "Arrowverse" is far from perfect, one thing it gets right is putting respect on Dreamer's name. If you like superhero stories with positive queer representation, then Supergirl is the show for you.

9. Euphoria (2019–present)

HBO Max

HBO Max's Euphoria has made quite the splash. One thing that drew queer audiences to the show was the presence of Hunter Schafer starring as Jules Vaughn, a teenage trans girl who just moved to town. Jules has a pretty traumatic backstory, and proves that trans people are by no means perfect and capable of making mistakes, just like everyone else. Part of what makes Jules so relatable is that she's just a kid, trying to navigate the world created by her peers, only with the added inherent issues of being trans on top of that. While her character sometimes gets less-than-preferential treatment, it is still an amazing portrayal of a trans woman worth watching.

10. POSE (2018–2021)

FX

POSE is unlike any other show on this list. Set during the late '80s/early '90s, almost the entire cast of main characters are trans or gender nonconforming in some way or another. Not only that, but each episode shows the trials and tribulations that black trans people go through, showing ignorant audiences the ways in which racism and transphobia are so often intertwined. It is not a show for the faint of heart, but if you want to learn more about the origins of Ball culture and fall in love with some beautifully portrayed characters, then look no further than POSE.