Meet Nicole Maines, a trans hero, on and off screen
21yearold transgender activist, Nicole Maines, portrays the trans superhero Dreamer aka Nia Nal in the TV show Supergirl’s fourth season
Supergirl gained a new ally in the form of TV’s first transgender superhero, when the series returned for its fourth season on Sunday. Viewers met Nia Nal, alongside Kara Danvers (played by actor Melissa Benoist), the lead’s civilian guise.
As the season progresses, Nia will turn out to be the superhero Dreamer. The character is played by Nicole Maines, an actor and activist, who is also transgender. During a recent interview, she talked about playing Dreamer, the reaction to her casting, and getting the representation right.
What do you hope the reaction will be to you being on Supergirl? So far, it’s just been this complete outpouring of love and support for me as an actor, for me as a trans woman and for this character. I think so many people are happy and excited to see someone like them on television. And to see someone like them on TV as a superhero! Seeing yourself as a superhero is kind of the most validating thing. I hope that all people, not just trans people, fall in love with Nia and her energy and her as a superhero. And I hope it just grows and evolves from that.
The reaction from San Diego ComicCon when your role was announced in July was extremely positive. Have you heard about any detractors?
As far as negative stuff goes, I do see a lot of folks, especially a lot of parents, saying ‘I’m not going to allow my young daughter to watch this show anymore’. That’s so sad to me. We have a female-driven show in a male-dominated genre, and you’re not going to let your daughter watch this empowering show because it has a trans character? I think what a lot of folks are afraid of is that we’re trying to cram some sort of agenda down their throats. And that’s not the case. It’s not preachy at all.
Why do you think it is critical to have a trans person playing a trans character?
Because it’s validating. When we have a trans woman playing a trans woman then you see, “Oh this is what trans really is. This is what it looks like: a person.” That sends a message to trans kids that they are valid in their identities, that they are allowed to exist. As trans folks, they have completely normal lives and some of them become superheroes. And that’s OK.
Do you feel comfortable enough to suggest changes to the script, if something does not feel worded properly, with regard to being transgender?
Absolutely. The writers said, “Listen we aren’t experts”, and, of course, neither am I. I can only speak from my own experience. But they’ve been very proactive in making sure that they are approaching the situation as best that they can. So we’ve been combing over everything trying to give the best representation of Nia that we can.
IN 2014, NICOLE MAINES WON A DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT OVER USING THE GIRLS' BATHROOM AT HER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL