Marvel: Trans actor Zoe Terakes “deeply grateful” for Ironheart role
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.
