aneesh sheth

The trans actress playing snarky assistant Gillian in Jessica Jones

CLOTHES MAKETH THE WOMAN

“In my first week, they were like, ‘It’s lovely to have a character that we can really dress up.’ I go in for my fitting and get to try on these amazing clothes, and it helps me build my character. She comes from a certain place, and the clothes she wears really signify that. I think the entire wardrobe probably cost more than my rent! I said, ‘Where is she getting all this? Because Jessica’s not paying her this much money.’ She must hit those sample sales!”

BABY GOT BACKSTORY

“I think Gillian’s had to work really hard to get [where she is]. When I’m building her backstory, that’s what I think about. The other day, it occurred to me, ‘Oh, she probably has a journalism degree,’ because there was something in the script that made me think about that. So I’m always picking up on clues and figuring out a better way to make her more authentic and rounded.”

MARGINAL GAINS

“It’s really great to be able to have a say in where I want the story to go. Marginalised actors are getting the power to create narratives within shows like this, and I think that’s really important. It’s important to have a South-Asian trans person on television, who’s creating representation, but also wonderful for that person to exist without hitting you over the head and being like, ‘This is what we’re talking about.’ To avoid sensationalism.”

PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE

“I’ve had friends who are trans who’ve been on [Marvel shows] before. Shakina Nayfack played the pawnshop clerk last series. And MJ Rodriguez – who’s Blanca on Pose now – was in a couple of episodes of Luke Cage. Shakina’s character was just a character that existed in the world. How about that? We just exist. Having a show where people just exist as people is really wonderful.” IB

Jessica Jones season three is streaming on Netflix now.