Modern Family Casts TV’s First Transgender Child Actor
The world is definitely taking steps forward when it comes to not only accepting transgendered folks for the awesome peeps they are, but also cheering on every “first” we’re able to support. Obviously we were all applauding Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover (not to mention her response to offensive remarks) — now, we’re cheering loudly for a new actor on the scene named Jackson Millarker, an amazing eight-year-old actor who also happens to be transgender.
Appearing on Wednesday’s Modern Family episode called “A Stereotypical Day,” Jackson will be playing Lily’s friend Tom. The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) must teach Lily a lesson in acceptance when they overhear her saying some not-nice things to her new friend.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Ryan Case (@film114) on
Ryan Case, the director of Modern Family, posted a pic of herself along with Jackson to Instagram saying, “This is Jackson Millarker. He’s 8 years old, from Atlanta, and just happens to be transgender. He plays Lily’s friend Tom in this week’s Modern Family and he’s wonderful. One of the many reasons I love being a part of this show.”
We can’t wait to see Jackson’s surely awesome debut!
You can catch Jackson on Modern Family Wednesday at 9pm on ABC.
Are you happy to see a transgender child cast on Modern Family? Tweet us @BritandCo!
(h/t Hollywood Reporter; photos via ABC)
