Hit & Miss: should non-transgender actors play transgender characters?

Chloë Sevigny plays a transgender assassin in the new series. Paris Lees, who is trans, also went for the part

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2012/may/23/hit-miss-transgender-actors

Chloë Sevigny had to wear a prosthetic penis for her role as Mia, the transgender assassin in Sky Atlantic's new drama Hit & Miss. Apparently this wasn't much fun."I hated it. It was an awful experience," Sevigny said at its UK premiere, revealing her worries about how frequently it would be shown – it did pop up three times in the first episode. Sounds as if she had a spot of gender dysphoria, the physical incongruence many trans people feel before transition.

Though I'm not an actor, I auditioned for the part of Mia last year. I'm trans myself, but declined to discuss my genitals with the directors (unless you're my sexual partner, you really don't need to know).

Should non-trans actors play trans people? It's a heated debate in the community; many argue that trans performers shouldn't be limited to trans roles. Yes, it's called acting for a reason, but it would be disingenuous to pretend physical form isn't a casting consideration. That's not to say trans people can't "pass". Many do. But there's often a physicality to being trans which greater familiarity would make less remarkable.