Criss Gidas’ television pilot Midnight explores the struggles a young trans-woman faces in her community. Filmed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast at the end of 2018, the show follows a young trans-woman race car driver struggles for acceptance in her community. With very little representation of trans-men and women in the media, let alone representation of women in the racing industry, there could not be a more opportune time for such a production.
Midnight lends a voice to a very diverse cast in a very one sided workplace. The show deals with a series of current and topical issues especially relevant today from sex and gender identity, family and the ever changing view of what would be considered a typical “home”.
The arc of the first season lies with 17-year old Sebastian Cohen, on the cusp of adult life. He has just moved back in with his father, Nolan, after being fostered since he was 12. During these last few months before graduating from high school, Sebastian begins the transition into a woman, into Sophie. With a less than accepting father, and many family and societal pressures weighing against him, Sebastian comes to terms with who he truly is in a not so supportive environment.
The first season gives us a snapshot into these critical teenage years as he tries to cement himself as a person in his environment that does not entirely fit the norm. At the same time the audience is given a snapshot into the future with Sophie having made something of herself, whilst not being entirely happy for leaving the past the way she did. The show provides some much needed representation of the trans community, especially in this country.
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