Jill Soloway’s groundbreaking Amazon Prime series Transparent — following Jeffrey Tambor as Maura, a transgender woman coming out to her adult kids — debuted its first season in September of 2014. It was an immediate hit, and oft-credited by critics with helping kick-start the national conversation on understanding what it means to be transgender. Less than a year later, in April of 2015, Caitlyn Jenner had her first public interview with Diane Sawyer. Soon, it became nearly impossible to discuss the show without discussing Caitlyn, too — both had entered the public consciousness around the same time, and both were working towards the same goal: To expand and transform definitions of gender and sexuality, to educate the uninformed, to increase empathy and understanding.
Both parties have since spoken publicly about how they’ve influenced and inspired each other. Judith Light, who plays matriarch Shelly Pfefferman, told CBS that Jenner was an outspoken fan of the show, and vice versa: “She loves it. And it was very impactful for her in her process and we’re all very caring and loving of her and her process. We think she’s an extraordinary role model in the world. The courage that it takes — not just to do that, but to be who she has become is very transformational.” Writer/creator Soloway clarified that the two were, in fact, working together to create change. “She’s the most famous trans woman on the planet, she’s in the most famous family on the planet and she’s broken down the last barrier,” Soloway told People. “It’s a blessing. There are so few out trans role models. I liken it to when you’re a little kid and you want to cross the street, but the highway’s too busy and so everybody holds hands and walks across together.” Soloway also credited Jenner in Rolling Stone with helping the series move forward from merely “educating” to simply telling important stories.
Which is why it makes perfect sense that, according to Page Six, Jenner may appear on the show’s third season. “A source” told the outlet that producers “would love to have Jenner on the Golden Globe-winning show starring Jeffrey Tambor, and are still hoping it can be worked out.” However, another source — namely, Jenner’s rep — told the outlet that Jenner isn’t trying to get into acting, which makes no sense, because isn’t everybody trying to get into acting? “If they wanted her on the show, I’m not sure she can [do it], because of her E! situation,” said the rep. “Television or movies is not something she has been pursuing.” If Hollywood comes a callin’, you’re really gonna say no, Caitlyn? How very un-Kardashian of you.
