Scott Turner Schofield at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France.
Scott Turner Schofield, acclaimed actor and prominent trans advocate, has long been recognized for achieving landmark moments in entertainment history from being the first openly trans actor to star in a daytime soap opera to becoming the first trans man ever nominated for an Emmy in acting. Yet in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Schofield shifts the spotlight away from his own accolades and turns it toward the rich, often overlooked history of trans voices that came before him.
“As I dive deeper into our past, I’ve come to realize that the idea of being ‘the first’ often erases those who paved the way in silence,” he shared. “Many trans people who contributed to culture had to hide their identities. Their stories deserve recognition.”
Schofield’s insight is particularly timely. While he rose to prominence during what many have called the “transgender tipping point” a wave of increased visibility for trans people in media he emphasizes that the real goal is sustainability, not symbolism.
“Being part of the tipping point means more than celebrating milestones,” he said. “It’s about ensuring we don’t hit a stopping point. Right now, we’re witnessing a disturbing decline in LGBTQ+ representation, especially trans characters, at a time when those stories are more important than ever.”
One such powerful story is Schofield’s 2015 role as Nick on The Bold and the Beautiful, where he officiated a historic wedding between Maya a trans bride played by a cisgender actress and her partner. The show’s decision to cast a real trans actor in a significant role helped challenge industry norms and expand public understanding of transgender lives.
“That moment aired in over 33 million homes worldwide,” he recalled. “And it wasn’t just reaching social media-savvy viewers it was connecting with people in rural areas, elders, immigrant families learning English. That’s the real impact.”
Schofield believes that daytime dramas have quietly led the charge in reshaping perceptions through inclusive storytelling.
“Soap operas have always known that complex love stories and social conflicts create compelling television,” he explained. “If more mainstream producers took a page from that playbook and introduced nuanced, diverse characters, they’d not only change hearts they’d boost ratings.”
Aside from acting, Schofield is also a consultant for the HBO hit Euphoria, working behind the scenes to ensure trans narratives are portrayed authentically and free from stereotypes. He’s written books, delivered keynotes, and helped usher in a more inclusive Hollywood all while describing himself as an “accidental activist.”
“My dream,” he once told PEOPLE in 2020, “is that one day, I won’t need to explain my identity. I can just be. No spotlight, no headlines. Just life.”
With continued passion for telling real stories and advocating for representation, Scott Turner Schofield stands as a voice not only for change but for longevity ensuring that being the “first” is never the last.
