A new, more inclusive day is dawning at the Disney-owned production company Lucasfilm. According to an exclusive report from Deadline, British actress Talisa Garcia has become the first known, openly trans actor to be cast in a Lucasfilm project. Garcia has specifically been cast in the Willow series for Disney+.
The upcoming Willow series for Disney+ will be a spinoff of the 1988 fantasy film of the same name. The original film was also produced by Lucasfilm, including the production company’s founder and namesake, George Lucas. The new Willow series will follow a princess as she assembles a party of brave heroes to rescue her twin brother.
Talisa Garcia and Lucasfilm
For the series, Talisa Garcia will reportedly play the role of a Queen and the mother of Tony Revolori’s character. As important as this role sounds, though, it is likely to be a small speaking part. Therefore, it is likely that Talisa Garcia will only appear in one episode of the Lucasfilm production.
Talisa Garcia is a Chilean-born British actress. She is best known for her work on the BBC crime-thriller Baptiste. However, her other credits as an actress include Starz’s The Girlfriend Experience and TBS’ Miracle Workers.
Despite Disney’s recent, controversial involvement in Florida politics, the company as a whole has made several strides in making the casts of their movies and TV shows much more inclusive. Last year, actress Patti Harrison, who is featured in Raya and the Last Dragon, became the first trans actor to voice a character in a Disney animated movie. For live-action, Marvel Studios’ Eternals also featured significant firsts, with Brian Tyree Henry playing the role of the first gay superhero and Lauren Ridloff portraying the first deaf superhero.
For more updates on Willow, Talisa Garcia’s role in it, and other Lucasfilm productions, check back in with us at The Nerd Stash!
