Pose: Meet the Fierce-as-F*ck Cast That's Already Making TV History
The cast of Ryan Murphy's latest FX series, Pose, is unlike any group that has been assembled for a major TV show. The show is set in 1980s New York City and follows the rise of the underground ballroom scene and the LGBTQ+ youth and people of color who built it, and stars familiar faces like Kate Mara and James Van Der Beek. But it's the record-breaking number of transgender actors in leading roles that makes Pose a classic before it even finishes its first season.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a nationwide search was conducted for the show and led to Pose casting MJ Rodriguez, Hailie Sahar, Indya Moore, Angelica Ross, and Dominique Jackson as series regulars. With five transgender actors in main roles, Pose has already made history with the largest number of transgender actors ever to be cast as series regulars for a scripted series.
Get to know some of the cast members who will be striking a pose in the ballroom as the series airs this Summer ahead.
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Indya Moore
Before Pose, Moore was a model for brands like Christian Dior and starred alongside Pose castmate MJ Rodriguez in the film Saturday Church.
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MJ Rodriguez
Rodriguez has theatrical roots and played Angel Dumott Schunard in an off-Broadway revival of Rent.
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Angelica Ross
In addition to acting, Ross is an entrepreneur who founded an incubator called TransTech that helps LGBTQ+ talent find employment.
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Dominique Jackson
Jackson has been a model for more than 20 years and penned an autobiography called The Transsexual From Tobago.
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James Van Der Beek
Don't expect Van Der Beek to play nice in Pose. The TV icon will play a kingpin in the drama.
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Kate Mara
Pose marks Mara's latest project with Ryan Murphy; she was also in the first season of American Horror Story.
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Evan Peters
Like Mara, Peters is no stranger to the TV world of Ryan Murphy; he is a staple on American Horror Story.
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Dyllon Burnside
Burnside is not just an actor, but a writer, producer, and singer, too! Before Pose, he had roles in Peter Pan Live and High Maintenance.