Representation is huge and even more impressive when the actor chosen to portray the role truly understands and identifies with the differences or struggles their character was written.
Or perhaps it's progressive when the writers choose to include the actor's storyline into their character's storyline.
Here's a list of empowering characters whose storyarcs included the true version of their portaying actor's life.
Let us know in the comments below your thoughts on our list!
1. Stranger Things - Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo has a genetic condition called cleidocranial dysostosis that affects the development of his bones and teeth, and he struggled to land acting roles as a result of it, but when he received the role of Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things the writers decided to incorporate this into his character's storyline. It's mentioned within Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 1 and Season 3 Episode 4.
2. Switched At Birth - Marlee Matlin
Switched At Birth is huge for bringing representation to the deaf community, and even more impressive that they included a majority of deaf actors to play their big roles. Marlee Matlin, especially, is a huge advocate in the deaf community and has a history of many deaf roles, and was able to continue this as Melody Bledsoe in the show.
3. Glee - Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel on Glee is among many actors in this increasing climate of LGBT representation who are finally representing their true sexual orientations.
4. Breaking Bad - RJ Mitte
Although RJ Mitte has a much milder form of Cerebral Palsy than his counterpart Flynn White Jr. in Breaking Bad, it doesn't lessen the fact that he still has it and can relate to Flynn more so than an actor who might not be affected by the disorder.
5. Speechless - Micah Fowler
Micah Fowler portrays JJ DiMeo in Speechless, a boy with cerebral palsy that leaves him unable to speak, as the title suggests. Micah also has a progressive form of the disorder, which doesn't leave him speechless, but it does keep him wheelchair dependent.
6. Euphoria - Barbie Ferreira
Barbie Ferreira, the rising star due to her fame from Euphoria has also struggled with weight and bullying on and offline, just as her character Kat Hernandez. Barbie has mentioned her struggle with being a curvier model and receiving criticism, as well as keeping an anonymous Tumblr blog to escape, again similarly to Kat.