How Yasmin Finney is Changing the World

Netflix’s Heartstopper broke boundaries in many ways. With an LGBTQ+ cast and crew at the center of it, its immense success can only be attributed to its genuine and truthful portrayal of the queer experience and how much that resonated with a modern audience. An integral part of achieving this authentic representation came in the form of trans character Elle Argent, expertly played by Yasmin Finney. At just 19, Finney has only appeared in projects released in 2022, but has already made a name for herself as one of the UK’s biggest rising stars. This success goes beyond her own personal achievements though – the young actress is opening doors that have been inaccessible for the trans community for far too long.

In the short space of time between being cast in Heartstopper and now, Yasmin Finney has led the march at London trans pride, become a cover star for Vogue magazine, starred in an original film directed by singer Yungblud, and landed herself a main role in an upcoming Doctor Who special alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate. She has even talked about wanting to become the first trans Bond girl, inspiring confidence in many of her fans who idolize her and wish to follow in her footsteps. Prominent figures and confident role models like Finney are currently more important than ever, especially with how vital trans visibility is in the current media climate.

Between the Conservative government refusing to ban conversion therapy for trans people, and the press constantly demonizing the mere existence of the community, identifying as trans in 2022 is a tough experience for thousands. By lifting voices and giving the trans community a platform, not only can we listen and learn from an invaluable perspective, but it also offers an opportunity for empathy and inclusivity. So much of the resentment directed towards transgender people stems from pure ignorance, misinformation, and a lack of understanding. Though it can’t fix every problem, well-written representation plays an instrumental role in allowing those with little to no interaction with the trans community to understand their experiences better.