Supergirl Introduces TV's First Transgender Superhero

Supergirl is making history, introducing TV's first transgender superhero. Youth activist Nicole Maines has been cast as Nia Nal, aka Dreamer, a superhero with the ability to predict when people will die. Supergirl's Dreamer is based on the DC comics character Nura Nal, aka Dream Girl.

THR reports that Maines' character is "a soulful young transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others." That shouldn't be hard for Maines, who in 2013 helped change Maine laws that prevented transgender people from using their preferred bathroom.

Supergirl executive producer Greg Berlanti has been a longtime supporter of telling authentically queer stories. "Even with the action shows though, I've still tried to do my part in making those shows relevant where I can, whether it's having openly gay actors play straight characters or straight actors play gay characters," he told THR in May 2016.