Alexandra Billings becomes the first trans actress to join 'Wicked' cast

“I literally cannot believe my life.”

LA Premiere Of Amazon's "Transparent Musicale Finale" - Arrivals

'Transparent' star Alexandra Billing will join the cast of Broadway's 'Wicked'. Source: FilmMagic

Transparent star Alexandra Billing has made theatrical history by becoming the first transgender cast-member of  Broadway's production of Wicked, which has been running for 16 years.

According to , the actress and trans advocate will plat Madame Morrible in the the long-running on-stage adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel, replacing Tony nominee Nancy Opel from January next year. 

Billing, who this week attended the premiere of the musical finale of Transparent, is no stranger to making entertainment history. In 2005 she became the first openly trans actress to play a trans character on TV when she starred in TV movie Romy and Michele: A New Beginning.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Billings said she was excited to be playing “the lady with the largest wigs in theatrical history.”

“I literally cannot believe my life,” she added.

“I am truly blessed. And completely shocked.”

The character of Madame Morrible was first played by British actress Carole Shelley in 2003.

Share
Published 27 September 2019 11:22am
Updated 27 September 2019 1:11pm
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


Share this with family and friends


SBS News in your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS On Demand
SBS News
SBS Audio

Listen to our podcasts
Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
The day's top stories from SBS News.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our sbs podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch SBS On Demand
Over 11,000 hours

Over 11,000 hours

News, drama, documentaries, SBS Originals and more - free.