I'm scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the 'jokes' and of violence. There was no pathway; it was more or less trying to figure it out. Thats not where Im coming from, and so thats why its important to me. There is a whole storyline about two aliens; theyre non-binary aliens. Dillon is also the founder and the producing director of MIRROR/FIRE Productions. Its basically about a boy and his talking dog who go into this Land of Ooo. Another one that I think about a lot and Ive been thinking about increasingly in the past couple of years is Adventure Time. I also imagine there are a lot of people on the Billions set trying to look like finance bros.I suppose so, yeah. Or Im getting a coffee and I get called Miss, and I dont have the time or the energy. Dillon: The aspect of gender identity, specifically? Which show has better food? Dillon: Thank you for asking about that. The male/female categories uphold the gender binary, which is ultimately extraordinarily dangerous for anyone who identifies outside of it. And how would we talk about Pats gender and Pats partners differently versus when we did it then? I felt really comfortable and safe this whole time, and that doesnt always happen. Ive spoken to child development experts about childrens media and gender, and that binary in kids isnt inherent. Its learned. White: Yeah, because its a baby, you know. Oct 14, 2020. There are things that overlap. So in that sense, theres a really, really big opportunity in animation to go beyond what we understand about gender, and I think animation has actually been at the forefront of this. Im remembering one of the earliest interviews you gave, I think it was on the Ellen show where you delineated the difference between the physiology of our bodies and I think what you called gender identity being what is between the ears. Something that is more about I dont want to put words in your mouth but I think more about a consciousness, it seems, rather than a biological expression? Actor Asia Kate Dillon brought Brandy to life and, over the course of the show, portrayed a character that couldn't be further from their real . And so it makes a lot of logical sense to me that that would be a genre that people leaned into. So when I encountered the character breakdown for Taylor, and it did say female non-binary, and of course Ive encountered the word female all my life, and I had encountered the word non-binary before, but in that moment I chose to look both of them up and encountered for the first time the clear explanation of non-binary as someone who identifies as neither a man or a woman, neither male or female, and then also female and male are an assigned sex at birth. But food tastes better out of a jar. And while their portrayals may or may not have always been respectful, intentional, progressive, I think that this idea that we do not always live within two spaces on a gender line has been persistent. Anyway, I have this because you never know if theres going to be food somewhere. I dont want to give an excuse and say trial and error, but you do see a lot of errors on the interminable road of progress. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. How Well Does the 'John Wick' Cast Know Keanu? Their role on Billions is the first gender non-binary character shown on American television. Top editors. I had to learn who I was. (Laughs.) Dillon is also the founder and the producing director of MIRROR/FIRE Productions. And, you know, again, as with all of the relationships on the show, the dynamic between the two characters was very complicated, very nuanced. Thats a message of self-care, is what youre saying: Dont expose yourself to problematic portrayals. Do you have a job? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Theres a character, Milo, whos Black in Danger & Eggs. Theres still not enough, so lets keep going. So now going beyond Billions and talking a little bit more about your whole career as well as the industry, in your experience and to your knowledge, how much opportunity is out there for non-binary or gender fluid or genderqueer actors to be able to also play non-binary characters? And I realized that once I tried to start learning more about non-binary, its like, Wow, we are so firmly, fundamentally wedded to this idea of this or that, male or female. Thats why today I really wanted to focus on when you are neither this nor that. This episode is inspired by Billions star Asia Kate Dillon, who will join us in the latter half of the show to talk about their groundbreaking character, how they approach their roles and why acting awards categories should be gender-neutral. And because gender is a spectrum. And thats what the term non-binary is about: Its more like a sphere that you can walk into, and it exists fluidly. Sun: It just wasnt essential for that baby to have a gender. And so here I fully am. And I think particularly on a show like Billions which as I shared before we started recording, I came to with a lot of preconceived notions and prejudices about what a universe that is constructed of hedge fund traders and wheeling and dealing politicians would be like its kind of refreshing and Ill admit a little bit surprising. Sun: Thanks again to Asia Kate Dillon and THR associate editor Abbey White for joining us on Hollywood Remixed today. Dillon: I have to be honest about the fact that Im not a casting director and Im not an agent and Im not a manager, so Im not seeing scripts come across my desk, quote-unquote, every day. Sun: Asia Kate Dillon plays the genius hedge fund executive Taylor Mason on Billions, whose fifth season returned on Showtime Sept. 5. So have you felt excluded, then, by the womens movement, and specifically the Womens March? Its incredibly significant and the significance of it sits alongside something that is a bit difficult for me, which is the fact that according to GLAAD they have this poll about whether or not there have been any trans or non-binary people in a major Hollywood film because The Adjudicator, the character that I play, is never referred to as they/them, which are the pronouns The Adjudicator uses, thats what the script was changed to reflect that, it doesnt count as representation because nobody watching the movie knows that. But I certainly know that my gender is not something, and thats what makes it clear for me. They just know that this person appears in makeup and feminine attire, and a pronoun is never used. Its about making space for everyone. Asia Kate Dillon wandered into a coffee shop near Brooklyns Prospect Park looking like a fallen angel taking a personal day: Black shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, black liner circling each eye. So one, theres a shortage of roles and thats something that cant be ignored in the conversation about who gets to play who. But then I went to an alternative high school where you played whatever part they thought you were the best for. Do they get to have a voice? And what does that mean? White: Absolutely. You dont have to ascribe to this or that. How did you navigate that when you were younger? Twenty years from now, will acting be more gender fluid? To all trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better. Thats not to say that characters before who had storylines about changing genders or being forced to identify as a gender that they dont identify with arent a part of this conversation. I've been very transparent about my struggles with my body, and with a society that is constantly trying to contain me and label me and define me. GQ Style: Please explain to me what you have brought in your jar. So I dont know if youve you had heard of that. I've been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. When I encountered the character breakdown for Taylor, and it did say female non-binary something happened where everything aligned for me, says the actor, who plays the genius hedge fund executive Taylor Mason on the Showtime drama, whose fifth season resumed on Sept. 5. Asia has mentioned that they are attracted to both males and females. It didnt come out of a social justice place to create a token character, or to be the first show with a non-binary character. Does that make sense? Im adapting from that. Sun: That means a lot to me. A woman can have a beard and be a woman, but someone can have a beard and also be non-binary. Were you comfortable with that? They are on Hacks and they just received an Emmy nomination for the show and has come out as non-binary. Although it has been said that Taylors wardrobe is stereotypically masculine, I dont feel that way, I think its actually neutral. I love wearing wigs. Dillon, who gave eye-catching performances as Lucifer off-off-Broadway and as a white supremacist on Orange Is the New Black, broke out as Taylor Mason, a nonbinary hedge fund wunderkind on the Showtime series Billions., Hello, Im Taylor, the character says when first meeting the funds boss, Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). And so to me, actor historically is a non-gendered word and thats the word Ive always used, but I needed to pose the question to the Emmy board, what actor and actress meant to them. Im also so thankful to my colleague, THR associate editor Abbey White, for coming on as this weeks guest expert to share what non-binary representation has meant to their own identity formation and to teach me about the genres that perhaps surprisingly have done pretty well with gender non-conforming inclusion. And I wouldnt count Bugs Bunny as non-binary; I wouldnt say that. Are we at a place where we accept and welcome trans writers, non-binary writers? And its really this fluid space for this character. Like, why are you all so obsessed with Pats gender? Sun: It was really enjoyable. Maybe the food is trying to keep within the vibe of the world. I feel like I can talk to Brian and David about anything, ask them anything. Thank you very much. I think about the characters in Danger & Eggs, which was an Amazon series; Craig of the Creek, which has I think one of the highest numbers of non-binary characters outside of Steven Universe, which just blows everybody away because every gem in that is non-binary. I am a transgender female. The last question is the Hidden Gem, which is: In the however plentiful this cabinet is of non-binary representations that weve had in culture and it doesnt have to be fictional because sometimes its too sparse but is there something you can recommend to people who would like to enrich themselves with this theme, a hidden gem that you can recommend them to read, to watch, to check out? 174 Asia Kate Dillon pictures. It's a basic human right.". (Laughs.) It sounds so parochial, the Masons.. The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared. Im just here to dole out punishment and go on with my day.. And so we need all different kinds of stories. Im not sure if folks are familiar with the anti-gay, anti-LGBTQ codes that were around in television, but there were very specific restrictions around what kind of characters that we could see, and if we did see certain characters, the way in which we could see them. Is Asia Kate Dillon Related To Matt Dillon. Sun: Absolutely. And so I think one of the incredible complexities that the show holds about this character of Bobby Axelrod is that, as you said, hes all the things. They are known for playing Brandy Epps in Orange Is the New Black (2013) and Taylor Mason in Billions (2016). And they are a musician; many of the most famous non-binary celebrities coincidentally happen to be more musicians rather than actors, like Sam Smith, and I think Janelle Mone has identified as non-binary or gender nonconforming. They are known for playing Brandy Epps in Orange Is the New Black (2013) and Taylor Mason in Billions (2016). I love that character so, so much because one of the things that I really struggle with in terms of the way that non-binary is allowed to exist on screen is that most people chalk non-binary up to androgynous. It said, female, gender nonbinary. There are certainly a lot of errors. Asias other credits include John Wick 3: Parabellum, Orange Is the New Black and the animated series gen:LOCK. The clothes are almost all vintage Thierry Mugler. 454 1. Whats interesting following that and the gates that have opened for trans actors is that trans actors were still kind of operating in that binary of what Hollywood thought a man and a woman really was. I had identified as gender fluid, gender queer, but hadnt come to a place where I felt like I could release she/her pronouns, because I didnt want to physically transition. My mom was a pop culture hound; all of my pop culture interests really derived from her and my relationship with her. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! And then what representation would I change? But the very first person that Taylor had an impact on was actually yourself, which I think is kind of beautiful. My research yielded one such example way back in 1992, so this is 30 years ago. But one of the reasons the show is resonating with people right now is because the show examines why we find the characteristics of charm, and flawed people, appealing. Pants are pants. Is there a work that you would recommend? And so the first time that I saw my identity reflected was when Taylor came my way. That would mean that those characters are continuing to be written and that they are continuing to be integral to whatever story theyre a part of. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. I feel lucky to be writing this. In the 1950s, Christine Jorgensen was the first known person to undergo sex reassignment surgery, identifying as a woman some years after her service in World War II. Sun: Some lucky Billions podcast is going to get to grill you about all the specific moves that Taylor has made. I didnt want to take hormones, thats not my journey. Most casting breakdowns specify male and female roles. Sun: Thats so moving to me to hear, that is extraordinary. ", "[W]hen my friends and family call me Josie, it feels like I'm being seen. And you cant really ascribe their race to them. The whole idea behind Steven Universe is an upending of gender expectation. I combed through this in the first half of this podcast with one of my colleagues who is non-binary, and theres not a long history. Ive had people straight up admit to me, I was homophobic and transphobic, and I love Billions, and I love your character, and now I just wish the best for you and I love you. I was just thinking about Alec Baldwin because hes on the current cover of The Atlantic, and I was just thinking that we have to be able to laugh at someone like 45. And I was able to step into an identity, my non-binary identity, fully. And I thought, Great. You could have an animated cartoon and you couldnt have two men kissing, but you could have a rabbit kiss a man, and that wouldnt be considered this alarming thing that immediately needed to be cut or censored. Their role on Billions is the first gender non-binary character shown on American television. Im definitely still learning. And by doing that Im inherently uplifting and supporting myself. And so the future, to me, is inclusive, and its intersectional, certainly. In one of their interviews, they revealed that they were currently dating a man, however, chose to not divulge any further details such as his name or the duration of their relationship. Like when that happens, we dont see Taylor being cut down by that, it just reveals that the person whos doing it is horrible. And to have people listen and be sensitive to them. You know. It was most certainly a powerful part of my own journey with my gender, realizing that I did not have to be this thing because of the gender that was assigned to me and all of the baggage that comes with that. the government, the planet, the race forces her to undergo a conversion therapy of sorts to go back to a they, which is really interesting. Asia Kate Dillon has been nominated for 2017, 2018, and 2018 Critics' Choice Television Awards, the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Award, etc. So INSTEAD I want to be visible to queer folx who don't see people like them on their feed. But do you think it was significant that Taylor hasnt had a major plot line thats been centered around trauma or bigotry or that type of experience? Lets show some skin. Im very curious to see what, for example, Joey Solloway, who I think is probably the most prominent non-binary creator in Hollywood they made Transparent and were a very respected indie film director prior what they will do now that they have come out specifically as non-binary and how to advocate for more voices in that space. And I think that age actually does matter in relationship to Pat. White: Yes! Asia Kate Dillon was born on November 15, 1984 in Ithaca, New York, USA. So it wasnt really a thing that had to get sorted right away. — -- Asia Kate Dillon made history by playing Taylor Mason on "Billions," the first non-binary role on American series television, and on Jan. 11, they were honored for their work with a best . I describe my gender identity as always sort of being this way. We are bodies, minds, consciousness; its all much more nuanced and complex and beautiful than we have been taught. Sun: I think it was incredibly thoughtful. Its definitely happening and happening more and more often, and I think thats a really big win. They titrate their emotions in a very conscious, calculated way. So in that sense, I think expanding the definition of what a woman is is great for people who identify as women and want to work at expanding that definition for themselves and the world at large. Our costume designer, Luca Mosca, had a vision: Lets go high-femme, lets go European, lets go structured. Weve had Axe very matter-of-factly correct peoples pronouns and things like that. So Ill give them both to you at the same time. Sun: Yeah, in other words, I think that theres a detector for whats a bad faith versus a good faith question. What is it like playing a nonbinary character in the hypermasculine world of Billions? Theres a tiny little calculator known as BMO who is genderless, because why wouldnt a tiny little calculator be genderless?, But White notes that representation of gender fluid characters in more grounded, realistic stories is necessary for affording gender non-comforming people their full humanity. Although as an actor, Im never judging the character that Im playing, because thats not helpful. With her . Business Insider spoke to Asia Kate Dillon, who plays fan-favorite Taylor Mason, about gender identity, fan reactions, and the star's artistic ambitions including a music EP. Im not an actor, I think asking a non-binary actor about this and about their own experience is very interesting, but Ive talked to some voice actors, some actors, and theyre still existing in the binary. And its whats at the base levelideologies of racism and patriarchy, etc.thats the conversation I want to be having. Its really quite extraordinary. Like, why am I a man? Not that Im taking that whole responsibility on myself, but that is work Im specifically engaging in. Asia had their first crush on a girl at the age of 10. So I do feel left out of conversations that continue to align femininity and womanhood with uteruses and vaginas. Billions happened to come out after I had just finished filming season 4 of Orange and I just missed the moment. Which is why they were the perfect muse for a mix of non-binary summer fashion. Not only do I think that's so boring and so predictable, it's, like, such a fraction [of my life]. That can be very powerful and helpful in the de-stigmatization of trans bodies. And so its really interesting to see some cool stuff thats happening in animation, very specifically in childrens animation, thats breaking that down and arguably at the forefront of our conversations about non-binary identity and gender non-conforming identities. The Critics Choice Awards tried to score brownie points by nominating them like 3 years in a row, I think as Supporting Actor for Billions despite a not so special performance after they somehow made headlines for petitioning the Emmys to change their categories from Actor/Actress to a more inclusive one. But I remember my first introduction to Adventure Time was actually watching a clip of Lumpy Space Princess, who is this deep-voiced, giant, pink, blobby, fluffy creature who has a lot of attitude and just doesnt really take anybodys crap. And obviously that is meant as a form of comedy, but I believe even RuPaul was like, Bugs Bunny had an influence on my own understanding of my gender and my presentation and my interest in drag. And so Im wondering if you wouldnt mind I know youve told this story before talking a little bit about what was your framework for understanding yourself prior, and then also, how do you currently identify? What does it mean for you to fall in love with someone, and they fall in love with you, under the assumption that you are one thing and youre actually the other? And you see Mafee defending Taylor, which is important for people to watch. They noted about being nonbinary, Its a term used by some people, myself included, who experience their gender identity as falling somewhere outside the boxes of man or woman. Check out the latest pictures, photos and images of Asia Kate Dillon. They dont ascribe to human gender identity. And in that same space of the bearded woman, there is a gender nonconformity there, right?
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