There are many firsts we can point to on TV; those moments and casting decisions that break down barriers and remind us that maybe TV actually understands the way real people live.
From “Julia,” which back in the 1960s became the first series to star an African American lead (the great Diahann Carroll) to “All American Girl,” the first sitcom to feature an Asian American in the title role (Margaret Cho).
This month, another show is breaking down barriers as well. The Netflix original series, “Orange is the New Black,” is the first scripted series to feature a transgender actor that is actually playing a transgender character in a leading role.
Laverne Coxplays that character,Sophia Burset. She shares her story of identity, acting, and working on the critically acclaimed new series about life behind bars.