How Yasmin Finney is Changing the World

Netflix’s Heartstopper broke boundaries in many ways. With an LGBTQ+ cast and crew at the center of it, its immense success can only be attributed to its genuine and truthful portrayal of the queer experience and how much that resonated with a modern audience. An integral part of achieving this authentic representation came in the form of trans character Elle Argent, expertly played by Yasmin Finney. At just 19, Finney has only appeared in projects released in 2022, but has already made a name for herself as one of the UK’s biggest rising stars. This success goes beyond her own personal achievements though – the young actress is opening doors that have been inaccessible for the trans community for far too long.

In the short space of time between being cast in Heartstopper and now, Yasmin Finney has led the march at London trans pride, become a cover star for Vogue magazine, starred in an original film directed by singer Yungblud, and landed herself a main role in an upcoming Doctor Who special alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate. She has even talked about wanting to become the first trans Bond girl, inspiring confidence in many of her fans who idolize her and wish to follow in her footsteps. Prominent figures and confident role models like Finney are currently more important than ever, especially with how vital trans visibility is in the current media climate.

Between the Conservative government refusing to ban conversion therapy for trans people, and the press constantly demonizing the mere existence of the community, identifying as trans in 2022 is a tough experience for thousands. By lifting voices and giving the trans community a platform, not only can we listen and learn from an invaluable perspective, but it also offers an opportunity for empathy and inclusivity. So much of the resentment directed towards transgender people stems from pure ignorance, misinformation, and a lack of understanding. Though it can’t fix every problem, well-written representation plays an instrumental role in allowing those with little to no interaction with the trans community to understand their experiences better.

Finney’s upcoming role in Doctor Who is particularly relevant. Heartstopper, Pose and other TV shows with well-written trans characters are directed towards the LGBTQ+ community. In other words, as lovely and crucial as they are, it’s preaching to the converted. Having a trans character front and center in the world’s longest-running sci-fi, on BBC One prime time television, is another matter entirely. Doctor Who has had its fair share of queer characters, but ultimately the show is not exclusively aimed at an LGBTQ+ audience. With showrunner Russell T Davies at the helm, who broke barriers in the 90s with the revolutionary Queer as Folk and delicately tackled LGBTQ+ storylines in nearly all his subsequent dramas, the role of Finney in the show is sure to be written with the knowledge of the impact it can (and will) make on new audiences’ perceptions of the trans community.

Aside from currently filming the second season of Heartstopper, what awaits the future of Finney’s career is currently unknown. But given how much she has already achieved, for herself and for the community, in under one year is a sure sign that we have merely glimpsed the incredible potential and impact that this young actress has to offer. One thing is for certain – Yasmin Finney is the star to watch out for in the years to come.

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