image via Helga Esteb/Shutterstock
I was already thrilled when one of my favorite shows, Nashville, found new life after having been cancelled on ABC by being picked up by CMT for a fifth season. Now, there’s even more great news on the Nashville front! Her Story writer/producer/star Jen Richards has just joined the cast in a recurring role!
While Her Story didn’t win the Emmy for which it was nominated, its stars are already starting to do big things, because of the doors Her Story has opened for transgender talent. On Nashville, Richards is set to play Allyson Del Lago who, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is “a tough but understanding physical therapist who helps one of the series’ main characters through one of their most difficult challenges.”
Deacon. Is it Deacon? It’s probably Deacon.
Anyway, this marks not only CMT’s first transgender character ever, but it also makes Richards the first out trans actor employed by the network. Take THAT, all the glass ceilings! In addition to Nashville, both she and Her Story‘s Angelica Ross will be appearing in an episode of the upcoming CBS courtroom drama, Doubt, which stars Laverne Cox and also boasts an out transgender writer in Imogen Binnie.
It seems as though broadcast and cable networks are finally starting to catch on. Let’s hope this continues! Nashville‘s fifth season premieres Thursday, Jan. 5 on CMT.
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