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Is 2016 the year of Laverne Cox? New series ensures her place in TV history
BY LARRY CARROLL AT 04:05 PM ON MAY 14, 2016
Suffice it to say that if Laverne Cox were going to make the rest of Hollywood a sandwich right now, she might want to call it peanut butter and jealousy. Because there are few actors who are hotter right now than the “Orange is the New Black” breakout – who made more news Saturday (May 14) with the revelation that she’ll soon become the first transgender actress to star in a network TV show. Sure, we know it’s only May – but it might just be time to declare 2016 The Year of Laverne Cox.
Need more proof? Read on for a breakdown of the plethora of projects keeping the Alabama native occupied these days.
“Doubt”
This legal drama will soon be a series on CBS, which means Cox will break ground as the first transgender performer to actually portray a transgender person on a network TV show. Co-starring Katherine Heigl, “Doubt” portrays a successful defense lawyer (Heigl) who falls for her client (Steven Pasquale) – who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime. Cox will be a regular cast member on the series.
“Rocky Horror”
One of the most eagerly-anticipated TV events of the year, Fox’s fall production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will have a lot of people watching – and Cox in the breakout role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, originated in the classic movie by Tim Curry (who will appear in the new version as well).
“I get tweets from people, ”˜Please don’t f*** up ”˜Rocky Horror Picture Show!’” Cox recently said to Entertainment Weekly. “I showed my brother pictures of me in character and he was like, ”˜You were preparing your whole life for this.’”‰”
Break out the glitter! In addition to all her in-demand TV work, Cox has reached a new plateau in her industry: Being asked to host a prestigious event. Sure enough, on May 14 Cox served as host of the GLAAD Awards, presenting a special honor to none other than Mariah Carey.
“Freak Show”
Sometime soon we should see this movie, based on a bestselling, award-winning book. Starring alongside Abigail Breslin, Bette Midler and Annasophia Robb, Cox plays a reporter covering the story of a cross-dressing teenager at an ultra-conservative high school.
“Orange is the New Black”
Oh yeah, let’s not forget about her day job!
Arguably Netflix’s most beloved show, “OINTB” is due to return for its eagerly-anticipated Season 4 next month – and after that, the show has already been greenlit for a fifth, sixth and seventh season. So go ahead, Laverne, buy that summer house in the Hamptons.
Now, all she needs is that Sophia spin-off show she desperately wants to do – and you just know that we’d all watch it too.
