TL;DR
- HBO casts cis actress Kyriana Kratter as Lev, a trans character.
- Debate over ‘transface’ resurfaces in Hollywood.
- Out trans actor Ian Alexander voiced Lev in the video game.
- Critics argue casting cis actors denies opportunities to trans actors.
- The issue reflects ongoing struggles for trans representation.
In a move that has left many in the LGBTQ+ community shaking their heads, HBO has decided to cast cisgender actress Kyriana Kratter to portray Lev, a transgender character in the highly-anticipated third season of The Last of Us. This casting choice has ignited a firestorm of debate about the practice known as “transface,” where cisgender actors are cast in roles that should rightfully go to transgender performers. In 2026, this practice feels more outdated than ever.
Lev, who is depicted as a 13-year-old transgender boy in the original video game, was voiced by out nonbinary actor Ian Alexander, a role that many fans felt was perfectly cast. So why did HBO opt for Kratter, who is best known for her role in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew? According to reports, HBO claimed she “best embodied the character.” But let’s be real—was that a decision made by a cis producer who just couldn’t see beyond their own perspective?
As Ariel Messman-Rucker pointed out in her piece for Out, the words “best embodied” have mysteriously vanished from the narrative surrounding this casting choice. Did someone in the production team realize that the optics of this casting decision were less than favorable? It seems so, but the damage is done. This isn’t just an odd choice; it’s a consistent pattern of Hollywood’s failure to embrace authentic representation.
Historically, the film and television industry has a long track record of casting cis actors in trans roles. From Jaye Davidson in The Crying Game to Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, the list is extensive and troubling. Despite the growing pressure from LGBTQ+ advocates to end this practice, it appears that Hollywood remains stuck in its old ways, unwilling to change.
https://www.x.com/MarkRuffalo/status/771100395242459137?s=20
In 2026, with the political climate shifting and trans rights under threat in many states, the decision to cast Kratter feels like a regression. As the national mood towards trans individuals becomes increasingly hostile, it’s disheartening to see the entertainment industry taking steps backward.
Some argue that acting is about pretending to be someone else, so what’s the big deal? But that argument falls flat when you consider the real-world implications. As out trans actor Jen Richards eloquently stated, casting cis actors in trans roles denies actual trans individuals opportunities and resources, which ultimately harms the entire community.
Richards’ words resonate deeply: “When Matt Bomer plays a trans sex worker, he is telling the world that underneath it all, trans women like me are still really just men.” This sentiment encapsulates why transface is not just a casting issue; it’s a matter of identity and representation.
Despite the progress made in recent years, including the successful casting of trans actors in roles like Mack Bayda in A Man Called Otto and Laverne Cox in Clean Slate, the battle against transface is far from over. The casting of Kyriana Kratter serves as a stark reminder that Hollywood still has a long way to go.
As we look to the future, one can only hope that 2026 will be the year when we finally see the last of transface. The community deserves authentic representation, and it’s time for Hollywood to step up and deliver.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81616256