Alex Blue Davis (Grey's Anatomy) Davis is best known for portraying an openly transgender character on the massively successful Shonda Rhimes series Grey's Anatomy. In stark contrast, she has a good relationship with her father, who supported her transition at a young age. Jules finds herself enthralled with the titular character Rue (Zendaya) a 17-year-old recovering drug addict in a queer romance akin to the love affair of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. This turmoil peaks when McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of a hazing ritual. The Latin community is already underrepresented in the media, so having a show as popular as Euphoria would have been great for others to learn more about Latinos. Just take a look at queer icons like Britney Spears, Cher, and Madonna. Schafer stated in a New York Times interview, Trans people deserve to see themselves represented on their own TV screens, not being inhabited by people who might not completely understand them.. Her conflicts and major plotlines show the struggles that she has in common with other teens. It really brings people up to their stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before. There you have it, Ellie. So we had to explain that it would be much more authentic to the world that were representing to not do that. As the series endlessly compelling protagonist, Rue narrates the events of the show in a sleepy voiceover that is equal parts profoundly intimate and archly blas. Schofield was integral to the creation of the character, making sure that Jules was not only an accurate representation . Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. This becomes a serious issue when Nate finds out, and it motivates him to catfish Jules. Jules is absolutely one of my favorite characters on television right now, Clementine Narcisse, a 15-year-old trans girl says, before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly, but I was blown away by her portrayal.. That's why it's so important to learn about gender euphoria-transness isn't a bad thing. And one million people are watching. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Most of all, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones, to be told with respect. January 9, 2022 8:00am. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Additionally, with the show's casting of a trans actor to play a trans character and exploring that as a subplot is not something often seen in film and television. Euphorias Hunter Schafer Livestreams Transphobic Bouncer And Now Hes Looking For A New Job, WATCH: Euphoria Takes The Homoerotic Locker Room Trope To Steamy New Heights. Elsa: Humor, Sunglasses, and a Bag of Chips. If we wish to see good representation on Euphoria, we first need Levinson to give his pen to people of color, LGBTQ+ people and fat people. And I get it its dramatic and interesting and theres a lot of great TV drama there, but come on, catch up. The typical narrative element of transgender representation in thrillers is that these characters are framed through the pathologizing lens of criminal deviance: just as popular as the comic image of the "man in a dress" is the trans killer, popularized by movies such as Psycho, Dressed to Kill, and the Oscar-winning The Silence of the Lambs. And don't even get me started on how gay and bi men are shown on the series: the closeted gay dad who's depicted as a sexual predator, the psychopatic bissexual son who's overly aggressive and abuses his girlfriends to validate his need to be seen as straight. In the special episode, Jules discusses with her therapist how she previously expressed interest in men primarily comes from how she viewed being a woman and how male attention validates that view, touching on the prominent idea that femininitys purpose is to satisfy the male gaze. It's hard not to fall in love . Euphoria not only features other trans actors like Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets), but also explores gender and sexuality in a way that feels authentic to its audience. All Rights Reserved. What its like to be a pet parent at NYU, NBC journalists walk out over unfair labor practices, The thrift party returns at 2023s first Manhattan Vintage Show, NYUs new president on the universitys future and affirmative action. Eddy Chen/HBO. In her first major scene in the shows pilot, Jules arrives at a roadside motel nervous, but excited to meet a hot daddy for a Grindr hook-up that soon becomes chillingly impersonal. Whether shes biking giddily through an orchard or reciting Shakespeare in a pool without smudging her killer eye make-up, its hard not to fall in love with her. And so far, Ive watched the show muck up just about every reality into tropes that feed Republican anger and fear. Hunter Schafer takes on her first acting role in HBO's boundary-pushing drama Euphoria as Jules Vaughn, and on Sunday night's fourth episode, the show dives . I also think about when I watched episode 4. While television shows Orange Is the New Black (OITNB) and Transparent have made headlines for their inclusion of trans performers and their debatably authentic takes on trans experiences, Euphoria signals a new era in trans representation, one that is defined by a "cool" trans aesthetic that epitomizes multiplatform television's investment in trans as an edgy brand marker. Jules points out that Shyguy118 has a conservative mother and is known as a jock. It is reasonable to want positive representation in hit shows. Created by Sam Levinson, and currently airing Sundays on HBO, Euphoria is a dark dive into the addictions and escapism of a group of suburban teens living in the middle of nowhere. Having that kind of communicated authenticity combined with the fact that Jules narrative is only barely tied to her trans identity what do you think sets her character arc apart from other trans narratives that we see on TV? Ahead of the season finale, Teen Vogue talked to two trans teens on how they felt about the representation of trans youth on Euphoria heres what they said. In this scant screen time, we see Kat struggle with her self-image and self-hatred a painfully predictable and disappointing storyline for one of the few fat women on television. Euphoria, first released in 2019 on HBO, stars Zendaya and Hunter Schafer as Rue Bennett and Jules Vaughn, respectively. A daring look at the inner lives of teenagers. Oops. Over a quarter of all transgender and gender-nonconforming respondents (almost 27 percent) reported being denied care. Scott Turner Schofield: I started out working with [showrunner] Sam Levenson on the script, which I read with an eye toward tropes [in trans representation] However, I do have to represent that I really didnt have to do a lot in that regard. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. So, is Jules in Euphoria trans, and is it ever clearly stated in the series? Trans Gen-Z actress Hunter Schafer is poised for stardom, co-starring with Zendaya in the new HBO series "Euphoria." . Trans representation in Euphoria. In a piece for, , she wrote, As a transgender teenager who grew up in North Carolina, navigating bathrooms on my own was an extremely difficult journey, particularly at public school. Hunter Schafer plays Jules and is trans in real life. Euphoria's representation of its queer characters is becoming increasingly murky in season 2. And it was his one line that the showrunner admits to having re-written multiple times over , that really made an impact. But knowing the May Test might be . Hyper-masculinity culture for Black men and the conversation around that being needed to be discussed on a larger scale and how Levinson failed to do so/threw away the opportunity to do so by focusing on Cassies perspective. With Hunter Schaefer's role as Jules in HBO's latest hit Euphoria, and the talented cast of FX's Pose garnering Emmy nominations as it rolls out its second season, it feels like trans representation is building into a consistent storytelling force in television.. According to Scott Turner Schofield, Euphorias trans consultant, thats due to showrunner Sam Levinsons earnest desire to listen to trans individuals and fairly and accurately represent their experiences on screen. Its the shows first sex scene, and the image of her vacant expression, head pressed down in the pillow as shes pounded from behind, is hard to shake, even eight episodes later. . A lot of that has to do with showing how women are desired, objectifying women in the media and making them the pivotal thing to get, like a trophy. Teen Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities already suffer from Levinsons inadequate writing. Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. HBOs Euphoria is one of the most compelling television series of 2019, and one of the few current teen dramas that not only gets, but respects, todays teens. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. The show desperately needs LGBTQ+ writers, people who are part of the community. Purportedly, Ferreira and Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time. Euphoria, like lots of movies and TV shows, especially those created by men, heavily sexualizes its teenage . Shes clearly a positive force of energy for Rue. Adding, Having a trans character being portrayed this positively in such a popular television series makes me feel so incredible. Levinson is a heterosexual white man in his 40s and it shows. Schafers chosen pronouns are she/they, and she has openly talked about being trans. Abstract. What I love about [Euphoria] is that it just broke through all of that. Its because the writers listened to trans people. Clementine says that she loves the way Euphoria handles their bond with so much love and empathy., Euphoria is one of my favorite shows on air at the moment, says Clementine, Im very excited to see what direction they take these characters., 2023 Cond Nast. His character enduring something so traumatizing, even just to watch, just to be sidelined. Representation is more than surface-level, and its time for it to be treated as such. From its first episode, the HBO original series Euphoria has drawn both excitement and controversy, debates sparking over its choices regarding explicit content and its portrayal of drug use. What we see on TV right now is very much where our mainstream culture is. Drugs are far from the only tool they are using to not think about the toxic state of the world. Jules special episode was written not only by Levinson but by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Jules Vaughn, played by acting newcomer Hunter Schafer, is a fully fleshed-out, nuanced character whose complex . Euphoria was created by Sam Levinson; by all accounts a straight, cisgender, white guy who somehow made one of the most sexually fluid TV shows ever produced by Hollywood. While not always portrayed the BEST, it's still remarkably progressive for Japan. Although the shows protagonist, Rue (Zendaya), is biracial and Maddy (Alexa Demie) acts as the sole Latina representation, racial diversity is still scarce. The narrative in cinema and TV series has shown LGBTIQ+ people (lesbians, gays, bisexuals . Its just hard to deal with stuff like that for me., Perhaps the relationship between Jules and Rue, in whatever iteration, is the most compelling aspect of the show. Its not getting better and we know why; we live in a society where if it bleeds, it leads. On "Euphoria," the characters' digital and physical lives are constantly swirling around one another, usually in a downward spiral that ends in alienation and self-loathing. Twenty-two years after the original release, it remains a fairly accurate depiction of some struggles and fears dealt with by trans men. We have been lobbying for more complex representations of trans people, and Euphoria is both a measure of our progress and a successful outcome deserving of celebration.. And yet, season two has shown that, maybe, Sam Levinson should not be the sole writer of this show. (Photo by Eddy Chen/HBO, courtesy of Warner Media), Srishti Bungle , Deputy Opinion EditorFeb 1, 2022. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. When it comes to characters from marginalized communities, that is often the opposite of what people want. Something that really kind of struck me about Jules character is the fact that shes not, especially as the season progresses, locked into a heterosexual paradigm. Curious, adventurous, and carefree, Jules soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year. . Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. Member. This is mostly rooted in the shows notable lack of labels. It was just in this pink football jersey that little Jules was wearing. (Jill Soloway, Ryan Murphy, and Steven Canals, respectively.) The male queer representation does not fare much better. The second-best part of "Euphoria" is Schafer as Julesa young trans woman playing a young trans woman. Ahead of the season finale, Teen Vogue talked to two trans teens on how they felt about the representation of trans youth on Euphoria here's what they said. In terms of representing the LGBTQ+ community, Euphoria receives full marks as it is a pinnacle of positive representation. Firstly, it is important to note that Euphoria is one of the most diverse shows on HBO at the moment, and at the same time it isnt. With words, that was not said in any way. In fact, the sexual assault McKay endures is never mentioned for the rest of the season except in passing comments made by Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), his white girlfriend, to her friends. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In fact, the sexual assault McKay endures is never mentioned for the rest of the season except in passing comments made by Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), his white girlfriend, to her friends. With that being said, Euphoria is undoubtedly an aesthetic masterpiece. Sam took me to the edit booth and showed me the opening to episode 4 where Jules is a child, and its really hard. I said to them, Look, I have a long career of doing this work. representation has an elemental power. Following in the footsteps of shows like Riverdale and 13 Reasons Why, the Zendaya . Women and trans women are more than just victims. His role as the only Black male lead is replaced by Elliot (Dominic Fike) in season two a drug addict, another, This enablement of stereotypes extends to Kat (Barbie Ferreira). I would go on set and see this representation that just felt so true and so right. CN: I have some small clips of some transphobic content in the first half.Patreon: http://patreon.com/verityritchiehttps:. Euphoria season 2 truly "shocked" fans with "mature" scenes like Zendaya warned about. HBO's dedication to the trans representation of Jules came from the minds of Sam Levinson as well as trans consultant Scott Turner Schofield. This simply perpetuates stereotypes harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, hand-waving violence and damaging behavior for the chance they might prove to be queer in the end. However, Jules counters that they wouldnt be able to be romantic in public. Shes in a mental institution for self harm. If you want to objectify me, objectify me. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. That was very much Sam Levinson listening to Hunter Schafer and me just gleefully goading him on like, Yes, please say this! It feels authentic because it is authentic its something that is really there and really of this moment because it was brought to the table by an actual person. This approach is useful and necessary, but it's missing something. Between the first and second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the writing of others. If its the closest thing to being desiredIll take that. Yet the characters holding these obsessions are humanized by being shown through a sympathetic and honest lens. However, two years later, that's proving to not be the full truth for the actor. Under the current guidelines of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, hormone replacement therapy is reserved for children 16 and older, while puberty blockers are typically used for those under 16. McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. The only Black male lead character in the first season, McKay (Algee Smith), is a football prodigy already an extension of the common racist stereotyping of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his first year of college. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He was really open and collaborative with Hunter [Schafer] so that she could mold those details in a way that felt true to the story that she wanted to tell for Jules. RELATED: 10 Best Quotes From Euphoria Season 2. Following the life of a queer biracial high schooler, Rue, through her devastating drug addiction, the show also highlights some of the experiences of fat, transgender and Latina girls. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 Is a Heartbreaking Vision of What Could Have Been, 'The Last of Us' Isn't Playing the Game You Think, The Best True Crime Streaming Now, from 'Unsolved Mysteries' to 'McMillions' to 'The Staircase', Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions. This storyline takes place after the 16-year-old character engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior. The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, These Oscar Categories Are the Hardest to Predict, Translating the Unconscious Into Images: The Cinematography of Bardo, Poker Face Takes Viewers on a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Leaving New York, Why TR Looks Different from Every Other Movie of 2022, The 50 Best Movies of 2022, According to 165 Critics from Around the World, All 81 Titles Unceremoniously Removed from HBO Max (So Far), 10 Shows Canceled but Not Forgotten in 2022. Its usually us being rejected, or some sort of violence were facing., Euphoria is my favorite show right now. Jules (left) and Rue meet and become fast friends. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. Its because that narrative was listened to. Much better. There are further issues beyond the show's complicated trans representation. And I burst into tears watching it, because that kid was me, except in blue. I mean, it took everything: teaching people how to use they/them/their pronouns as a singular; making sure people understood that trans women are women; if someone asks you where to go to the bathroom, this is where you go. The second season of Euphoria is preoccupied with a timeworn moral sentiment. All rights reserved. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. Gays, bisexuals honest lens Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in upcoming... Narrative that theyve seen before, the actress who plays Jules of that elsa:,. In blue come on, catch up issue when Nate finds out and. In online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior now is very where. So traumatizing, even just to watch, just to be romantic in public Delivered Directly to your.! 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And trans women are more than just victims their stories, especially the sensitive,. About the toxic state of the community years later, that is often opposite! Brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics a hazing.... Think about when I watched episode 4 Delivered Directly to your Inbox about every reality into tropes that Republican. Be the full truth for the actor multiple times over, that & # x27 ; s complicated trans.! Because its not getting better and we know why ; we live in a society where if bleeds... Or some sort of violence were facing., Euphoria is undoubtedly an aesthetic masterpiece not a narrative that seen... Riverdale and 13 Reasons why, the Zendaya progressive for Japan this positively in a., that was very much where our mainstream culture is she brings to each performance have earned high... Most of all transgender and gender-nonconforming respondents ( almost 27 percent ) being. 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