The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to get even queerer.
This week, Deadline reported that trans nonbinary actor Zoe Terakes will be playing a key role in the upcoming Marvel Studios series Ironheart for Disney+. Details about which character Terakes will be played have yet to be revealed, but sources told the publication that this is an important role.
Back in April, it was reported that Marvel Studios was searching for a trans actor to play a “character [who] will be smart, confident and with a mystical bent and unique sense of humor.” Further details are still being kept under wraps, but this description of a supporting character fits well with what we know about Riri Williams, the lead character on Ironheart.
As an actor, Terakes has already had a lot of experience on TV. They played characters such as Glory on Nine Perfect Strangers, Reb Keane on Wentworth, and Pearl Perati on Janet King, to name a few. Now, Terakes will bring trans nonbinary representation to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Last week, Marvel Studios announced that RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5 winner Shea Couleé has also landed a role in Ironheart, making her the first-ever drag performer to join the MCU. Couleé also identifies as nonbinary when out of drag, which means that they’ll fit right in along with Terakes.
Many queer fans of the MCU are hopeful that Couleé and Terakes will get to interact in the series — but the fact that they’ve both been cast on Ironheart already means a lot for LGBTQ+ representation. For now, though, MCU fans are still waiting for the character of Riri Williams to be introduced in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sequel coming out in November 2022.
Come through, LGBTQ+ characters in the MCU!
Marvel Studios’ Ironheart is scheduled premiere in 2023 on Disney+.
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