Zoe Terakes has discussed the significance of their upcoming role in Marvel’s Ironheart.
The actor, who is non-binary and trans-masculine, joined the cast of the upcoming Disney Plus series last year in what Deadline described as a “key role”.
In a recent interview with Collider, Terakes highlighted how vital it is for trans youth to see themselves reflected on screen.
“I think as trans people, growing up I didn’t get to see myself anywhere, so I didn’t really know that I existed. And especially not in a superhero show or movie,” they said.
“And so I think I just feel deeply grateful and moved that little trans kids and trans teens have something to look at and to know they exist and to know that they can have superpowers, and that that’s where we belong.”
Terakes continued to explain that trans actors “don’t just belong” in trauma stories “on the fringes dying in things,” adding: “We belong there with the big guys. So yeah, it meant a lot to me.”
Ironheart will see Dominique Thorne reprise her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever character as Riri Williams, an MIT student and genius inventor who has created the most advanced suit of armour since Iron Man.
Consisting of six episodes, Ironheart also stars RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5 winner Shea Couleé in an undisclosed role.
The entertainer, who recently appeared on the franchise’s first-ever winners’ season, said they were “BEYOND excited to be strutting out of the werkroom right into the Marvel Cinematic Universe”, adding: “Words cannot express how excited I am to be a part of this amazing project! Acting was my first love, and I’m thrilled to be doing it again in such a big way!”
Additional stars include Anthony Ramos, Jim Rash, Lyric Ross, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shakira Barrera, Rashia “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Sonia Denis, Paul Calderón and Cree Summer.
Ironheart will be part of Phase Five of the MCU and is scheduled to premiere on Disney Plus later this year.
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