The Last Of Us Casts A Cis Actor To Play Its Trans Lead

"The prospect of cis actors playing trans characters has a thorny history. Actors like Hilary Swank and Eddie Redmayne have won awards for playing trans characters, an act which is often seen as brave for cis actors to undertake."

"Kratter may give a splendid performance as Lev in The Last of Us, but the casting of a cis actor as a trans character in a trans-inclusive story is a real fucking shame."

"Lev's gender identity plays a crucial role in his story in The Last of Us Part II, which makes this seem like such an obvious misfire on the part of the show's producers."

The casting of Kyriana Kratter and Michelle Mao as Lev and Yara in The Last of Us Part II adaptation has sparked criticism. Lev, a trans boy, is portrayed by a cis actor, raising concerns about representation. The history of cis actors playing trans roles often results in trans actors being overlooked for opportunities. Lev's gender identity is central to his character, making the casting choice seem misguided. The decision reflects a broader issue of misunderstanding the source material by the show's producers, particularly showrunner Craig Mazin.

Read at Kotaku