Hunter Schafer: Euphoria star says she no longer wants to play trans characters

Hunter Schafer has starred in Euphoria and Hunger Games prequel The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer has said she no longer wants to play transgender roles.

The 25-year-old transgender star shot to fame playing a trans character, Jules Vaughn, in HBO's hit teen drama.

But Schafer said she felt she could go further as an actress by "not making it the centrepiece to what I'm doing".

She said: "I worked so hard to get to where I am, past these really hard points in my transition, and now I just want to be a girl and finally move on."

Speaking to GQ magazine, Schafer said being known simply as a "trans actress" was "ultimately demeaning to me and what I want to do".

She continued: "I've been offered tons of trans roles, and I just don't want to do it. I don't want to talk about it.

"I know for a fact that I'm one of the most famous trans people in media right now, and I do feel a sense of responsibility, and maybe a little bit of guilt, for not being more of a spokesperson.

"But ultimately, I really do believe that not making it the centrepiece to what I'm doing will allow me to get further.

"And I think getting further and doing awesome [work], in the interest of 'the movement,' will be way more helpful than talking about it all the time."

Eddie Redmayne was nominated for an Oscar for playing a trans character in 2015's The Danish Girl

There has been a long-running debate in Hollywood about representation in casting, with many in the transgender community arguing that trans characters should be played by actors who are trans in real life.

Some actors have apologised or expressed regret for previously taking on trans roles. In 2021, Eddie Redmayne said of his casting in 2015's The Danish Girl: "I made that film with the best intentions, but I think it was a mistake."

Others have argued the concept of acting is about becoming somebody else, and that it would be too limiting to solely play roles with characteristics shared by the actor.

Schafer starred alongside Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney in the gritty Emmy-winning drama Euphoria, which is set to return for a third season.

She also recently starred in Hunger Games prequel The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, and will lead the forthcoming psychological thriller Cuckoo.