When award-winning actress Laverne Cox makes her broadcast television series debut this fall on the CBS courtroom drama, Doubt, alongside Katherine Heigl, she’ll be reunited with two friends who should be familiar to viewers of LGBTQ entertainment.
Actress, writer and producer Jen Richards — whose “Her Story” web series is up for an Emmy award next month — broke the news on Twitter this week in a response to a tweet from ACLU attorney Chase Strangio: that Richards and her costar Angelica Ross will appear in one of the first season episodes.
The show is brilliant. Oh, and @angelicaross & I have been cast to play her friends for one episode. @DoubtCBS https://t.co/econE0r6s6
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) August 11, 2016
Ross — actress, composer, and tech entrepreneur — has been friends with Richards for years, and both are friends with the “Orange Is The New Black” actress, but Richards tweeted that this was a surprise to the people behind the scenes of “Doubt.”
It's just one scene … so far. But if they like us, if you all like us, who knows, maybe they'll bring us back. @angelicaross @Lavernecox
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) August 11, 2016
Writer Mari Brighe joined the online conversation, pointing out that one of the writers on “Doubt” is an out trans woman, author Imogen Binnie.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Wait, so we have @imogenbinnie writing and @SmartAssJen @angelicaross guest appearing and @Lavernecox starring?
I'm…speechless.
— Mari Brighe (@MariBrighe) August 11, 2016
That's right. And this on a flagship prime time drama on the single most popular tv network. @DoubtCBS https://t.co/hAIFStwEnO
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) August 11, 2016
Richards, who also appeared in the first season of Caitlyn Jenner’s E! docu-series, “I Am Cait,” is also the writer and driving force behind an upcoming video series, #Trans1o2, aimed at countering anti-transgender laws, policies and misconceptions.
Cox, who in 2014 became the first trans actress to be nominated for an Emmy, stars as transgender attorney Cameron Wirth in the CBS series set to debut this fall. Find out more the show here.