OUR CITY BACKDROP FOR GROUND-BREAKING TV SERIES
CASTING has begun for a groundbreaking Gold Coast television series starring a trans protagonist.
Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Criss Gidas, the series is called Midnight and follows 17-year-old Sebastian Cohen as he comes to terms with his sexuality before transitioning into Sophie.
The first season will be 10 hour-long episodes that combine Sebastian’s journey with his sexuality with his involvement in underground car racing.
Ms Gidas said Midnight would provide a valuable addition to a topical genre of TV gaining traction internationally.
“Even with television shows such as Transparent, Orange is the New Black, Rush, and the Fast and the Furious series, there is little to no truly accurate representation of trans men and women in the media, let alone representation of women in the car racing industry,” Ms Gidas said.
“The first season gives us a snapshot into these critical teenage years as he tries to cement himself as a person in his environment that doesn’t entirely fit the norm.”
Ms Gidas said her team was casting for the project and planned to shoot at the end of November and start of December on the Gold Coast.
“We’ll be filming the length of the Gold Coast because we felt there was so much we could explore, as a production and through the story,” she said.
“It’s such a diverse place so it’d be a shame not to show it.
“And with the majority of the cast and crew being Gold Coasters, we felt it was only natural to keep all elements of the production here.”
Lead actor Josh Lacy said he was feeling the pressure to prepare for such a layered role, so had enlisted a mentor.
“You have to get into the shoes of someone you’re not,” the Miami local said.
“You don’t want to offend anyone or do anything wrong but you also want to have a creative freedom. I’ve been speaking to a wonderful trans woman called Summer as the series has progressed.”
The production is currently in the pitching stages to major networks and distributors.