JJ Hawkins to Make History On 'Charmed' as Show's First Trans Actor

Gender- nonconforming trans masculine actor J.J. Hawkins revealed he will join the cast of The CW's Charmed in a recurring role. Deadline reported he will appear as a transgender male college student named Kevin in the reboot of the popular 90s television show, now in its third season. Hawkins, who uses he/him and they/them pronouns, will be the first trans actor to appear in the series.

This is not Hawkins's first portrayal of a transgender character. He previously played Riley on the CBS limited series The Red Line. He has also appeared in NCIS, Criminal Minds, and All Rise. In Charmed, his character provides much needed inspiration for a Charmed One preparing to face down a frightening foe.

The series is a reboot of the original 90s show created by Constance M. Burge who also served as executive producer with Aaron Spelling. The original WB series ran from 1998 to 2006. The reboot was also created by Constance M. Burge and stars Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery, and Madeleine Mantock as three sisters who learn they are powerful witches. Together they fight supernatural battles while also tending to daily life in the college town where they live together following the tragic death of their mother.

The casting of trans actor Hawkins in a trans role is proof that nonbinary representation on television has improved, but there are still relatively few roles available. Hawkins joins an exclusive list of nonbinary character currently appearing on the small screen. Asia Kate Dillon stars as Taylor in Billions, Daisy Eagan portrays Joey on Good Trouble, JayR Tinaco appears as Zayn in Another Life, and Sheridan Pierce portrays Syd in One Days at a Time. The third season of Star Trek: Discover is also set to introduce two nonbinary characters and trans actor Josie Totah will portray a trans character in the upcoming reboot of Saved By The Bell.

Hawkins is a native of the San Francisco Bay city of Antioch in California. He comes from a sixth-generation Mormon family that had difficulty accepting his gender identity. Before his professional career, Hawkins obtained a degree in Acting and Linguistics from Brigham Young University.

He revealed on Instagram that coming out was a seminal moment in his life.

"Coming out is simultaneously one of the worst and the best things I ever did," Hawkins revealed in the post. "The worst for its difficulty, the best for its consequences."

The third season of Charmed will premiere on The CW January 24 of next year.

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