Hot Flash cast members Elios Douglas, Roz Gemma and Matt Jameson on acting, identity, and barriers to success.

Elios: The biggest difficulty I’ve faced as a trans actor is simply that there aren’t many trans roles. They’re not being written, and when they are, loads of us go up for them, so the chances are tiny. Without an agent or a first credit, breaking in is even harder.

Roz: For me, getting into film came from a really personal place. I struggled with feeling like I was born in the wrong body and was unhappy and confused about being gay, which spiralled into addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness. When I got sober, I wrote and acted in Behind the Reflection, based on my own life. I thought it was something I'd never do because I was so ashamed about how I felt about myself, but people kept telling me it resonated. Some even said it helped them open up about their mental health. That’s the power of being openly gay on screen – you give others permission to be themselves.

Matt: I came from Married at First Sight, so my first experience in the public eye was reality TV. I’m proud that I represented the LGBTQ+ community in a positive light. I also run an LGBTQ+ charity called Out Together. But before all that, I went to drama school, and acting has always been the dream. Visibility is everything, and I’ve just secured a small role in Hot Flash as a bank manager, which I’m really grateful for.

Elios: Getting onto the GAP workshops was huge for me. They’re award-winning, trans- and ally-led acting and self-tape workshops for trans people, especially those who haven’t trained or who come from marginalised backgrounds. We got to meet industry professionals, ask questions, have our headshots funded, and even do a mock audition with a leading casting director. That led to me auditioning for a day-pleaser role on Heartstopper, which became my first TV/film credit. Just getting that first credit really helped me get taken more seriously as an actor – it was the perfect show to take me to the next thing.

Roz: Do you ever feel boxed in by how people see you?

Matt: Definitely. I think that there’s an added pressure for LGBTQ+ people to feel recognised within TV and film, but there’s also the possibility that people only see you as a gay man, and those are the only types of roles you’d be offered. My agent puts me forward for all sorts of roles, which is great, but I feel like stereotypes dominate when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. Gay men are written as caricatures, and it’s frustrating. We need to show the full spectrum of who LGBTQ+ people actually are.

Roz: Exactly. When you see people being open and authentic, you think: “I can see myself in them." I didn’t have that growing up.

Matt: But then there’s the online side of things…

Elios: Yeah. I’ve had to step back from social media for my mental health. There’s been a staggering rise in transphobia online, and I don’t want to subject myself to that. It’s not regulated, and it’s hard to protect yourself.

I’ve been fortunate that I haven’t been pigeonholed as a trans actor and am able to play both cis and trans roles. It’s the same with being deaf – most of the roles I’ve been cast in haven’t been based on my deafness; I just happen to be a deaf actor playing them. It normalises disability because it simply exists – that's how things should be done.

Matt: That’s what every actor wants — to be able to play any character, regardless of sexuality or identity. Jonathan Bailey is a great example – he plays gay roles and straight roles and gets opportunities across genres because of his skill, not because of how he identifies. That’s the goal.

Elios: I agree, but there’s still a long way to go. Funding’s a huge part of it – it's practically unheard of that a queer romcom would be granted the same budget as a straight romcom, even though the audience is there. I also feel I should say that trans women have a much harder time being cast in cis roles than trans men do, which is worth interrogating within the industry.

Roz: That’s why being seen and telling your truth matters. Whether it’s through a workshop, a film, reality TV, or a tiny role in a feature – every bit of visibility helps someone else.