In the third – and final – season of Netflix’s superhero drama, Jessica Jones, a “sassy” trans woman is introduced as the title character’s assistant, portrayed by trans actress and activist Aneesh Sheth.

Sheth – who appears in nine episodes in the critically-acclaimed series – joined the show after hearing of positive experiences from fellow trans actors and friends who have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Netflix.

“I have had friends who are trans who have been on the show before,” she told iNews. “They were talking about their experiences and it was wonderful to hear. Shakina Nayfack played a pawn shop clerk in the last season.

“And then MJ Rodriguez, who is playing Blanca on Pose right now, was in a couple of episodes of Luke Cage.”

Sheth, who hails from India but moved to the United States to pursue a career in acting, also told the publication about the importance of her character, Gillian. “I am transgender and the character of Gillian is also trans,” she said.

“But there’s no mention of her being trans within the show, nor a narrative around her identity. Which I think is wonderful because trans people exist in the world and it’s not always about their [trans] narrative.

The actress had a “big discussion” with Jessica Jones’ creator, Melissa Rosenberg, about the direction of her character which she says is “very exciting as an actor, to be able to have a say in where I want this story to go.”

She added: “Marginalised actors are getting the power to create narratives within shows like this. I think that’s really important.

“I think it’s important in terms of representation to have people recognise that you’ve got a South Asian trans person on television, but also how wonderful it is for that person to exist in a show without having to hit it over the head, ‘This is what we’re talking about’. To avoid sensationalism.”

While Marvel’s television shows have continued to make strides for representation, the films still have a long way to go.

Earlier this year however, Marvel executives confirmed that future Marvel films will start becoming more diverse. Speaking to Vulture, Victoria Alonso, the studio’s executive vice-president said she hoped Marvel would set the standard with diversity.

“We’re just determined to have it be how we do it,” she said. “And if we do it, maybe somebody else will do it. I encourage every studio, every indie production company, every filmmaker out there to make an effort.”

And Sarah Halley Finn, the casting director for every Marvel film since Iron Man, said: “You’re gonna see even more new faces — and faces from all different background, all ages, all ethnicities, LGBTQ, people who are differently abled.

“It’s a priority to have authenticity, to increase representation, to give greater representation to actors who have not traditionally been represented in mainstream movies on the big screen.”

Related: Brie Larson wants Marvel to “move faster” with LGBTQ representation.

Related: Tessa Thompson confirms she plays Valkyrie as bisexual and endorses a throuple with Thor and Captain Marvel.

Related: Captain Marvel producer is “thinking” about Carol and Valkyrie same-sex relationship.

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