People’s access to television has changed drastically since the invention of the internet and other new media technologies. Audiences can now watch TV shows on their phones, tablets, or computers at any time of day from practically anywhere in the world. This shift from traditional broadcast television to more Internet-distributed television (IDTV) has opened up new possibilities for new kinds of content, allowing producers to create wider representation within tv, this includes the rise of inclusion of trans characters that some could argue would not have been possible through traditional TV channels.

Ever since the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, television has expanded its horizons dramatically. Shows that were once considered niche have been brought to the wider public and allowed to thrive, and we’re starting to see just how much more untapped potential there still is in serialized storytelling. One such example is Sense8, a science fiction show produced by Netflix, which features transgender characters throughout its story arcs. You’re probably also familiar with shows such as Orange is the New Black and Transparent that feature transgender characters, but some recent television series are pushing the boundaries of trans representation even further in new and innovative ways. Whether it’s exploring gender beyond the binary, creating entirely new genders, or writing trans narratives from the perspectives of non-trans characters, these five series are expanding our notions of what’s possible on television and calling into question our preconceptions about gender identities in general. These shows have been Widley celebrated for not only diversifying casts but also focusing on gender fluidity and genderqueer narratives within their storylines. In particular, Transparent (a amazon production) has been lauded as The Most Important Show of the Year (People) by bringing to light stories that are more nuanced than typical trans narratives about transitioning from male to female or vice versa.