A transgender woman has been nominated in BAFTA’s leading actress category for the first time ever.
Spanish actress, Karla Sofa Gascn, 52, who starred in the Mexican musical comedy Emilia Prez, which depicts a cartel boss who transitions from a man to a woman, was nominated in BAFTA’s leading actress category.
She will be competing against Wicked star Cynthia Erivo who also received a nomination in the category, alongside Mikey Madison (Anora), Saoirse Ronan (The Outrun), Marianne Jean-Baptise (Hard Truths) and Demi Moore (The Substance).
The Netflix movie about a drug dealer who transitions gender is also up for Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Film Not In The English Language.
It comes after BAFTA decided to introduce the gender-neutral title of ‘performer’ in 2024 for actors who did not wish to have ‘actor’ or ‘actress’ on their award.
The British Academy of Film follows the lead of the Golden Globes and Cannes Film Festival in including transgender performers in the best actress category.