Marvel adds trans non-binary actor Zoe Terakes to Ironheart cast alongside Shea Couleé
Zoe Terakes is joining Marvel’s Ironheart. (Getty/Marvel)
Trans non-binary actor Zoe Terakes has been cast in a key role in the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart, Deadline reports.
The actor, who starred in Prime’s Nine Perfect Strangers, is the second trans actor to be cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the first in a Disney+ series.
They follow in the footsteps of trans man Zach Barak who played Zach Cooper in Spiderman: Far From Home.
Sharing the news on his social media, Terakes said: “Unbelievably stoked. This one’s for the trans guys n girls n theys… so much love.”
unbelievably stoked. this one’s for the trans guys n girls n theys ???? so much love. @marvelstudios pic.twitter.com/cJZXLHbYG7— Zoe Terakes (@zoeterakes) August 11, 2022
It’s shaping up to be a series of firsts as last week Ironheart announced Drag Race icon Shea Couleé as the first drag queen to enter the MCU.
Ironheart follows the story of RiRi Williams (Dominique Thorne) in a sequel to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. RiRi is a genius inventor who creates a suit of armour that rivals Iron Man’s.
Although the details of both their roles are still under wraps, with Couleé and Terakes joining forces, this Disney+ series is already making LGBTQ+ Marvel history.
In Coulée’s announcement last week, she wrote: “BEYOND excited to be strutting out of the werkroom right into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Words cannot express how excited I am to be a part of this amazing project! Acting was my first love, and I’m thrilled to be doing it again in such a big way!”
Theories are already circulating for what roles Terakes and Couleé play. “Ironheart is going to have a magic vs technology thing going on. What if Zoe Terakes is playing a magic user? Or a mutant? I could see him/they as Justice,” one fan wrote.
While others have posed the idea that Couleé will bring to life Darkveil, the first drag queen in the Marvel comics.
Mostly, fans are sharing Terakes’ joy at being cast, with one person tweeting: “I’m gonna throw things, pump my fists, and yell ‘hot damn, Zoe Terakes!’ on the hour every hour.”
While another added: “Marvel casting Zoe Terakes is a big slayyyyyy.”
