Ian Alexander: Breaking Barriers in Film and Television

Ian Alexander (born April 20, 2001) is an American actor who made history as the first openly transgender Asian American on television. Known for roles in The OA, Star Trek: Discovery, and The Last of Us Part II, Alexander uses they/he pronouns and identifies as non-binary.

When a 14-year-old stumbled upon a casting call on Tumblr, they had no idea it would launch a career that would change television history. Ian Alexander saw themselves reflected in the character description—a transgender Asian American youth—and decided to audition despite having zero acting experience. That decision led to a role on Netflix’s The OA and sparked a journey that continues to reshape representation in Hollywood.

Today, Alexander stands as a powerful voice for LGBTQ+ visibility in entertainment. Their work spans critically acclaimed streaming series, blockbuster video games, and independent films, each role adding depth to conversations about gender identity and authentic representation.

This article explores Ian Alexander’s rise from a Tumblr discovery to becoming one of the most important young actors in contemporary television. You’ll learn about their breakthrough roles, the impact they’ve had on trans visibility, and what makes their career so significant for the entertainment industry.

Early Life and Background

Ian Alexander was born on April 20, 2001, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their upbringing was marked by frequent moves due to their father’s work with the Department of Defense. The family lived in Hawaii, Japan, and Washington, D.C., exposing Alexander to diverse cultures from an early age.

Born to an American father and Vietnamese mother, Alexander grew up in a Mormon family. During elementary school, they participated in community theater and chorus, planting early seeds for their future career. However, their path to acting was far from traditional.

Alexander came out as transgender in 2014 at age 13. They initially identified as a trans man using he/him pronouns exclusively. As of September 2020, Alexander adopted they/them pronouns and now identifies as non-binary and transmasculine, accepting both they/them and he/him pronouns. They consider themselves agnostic rather than following their family’s Mormon faith.

The Tumblr Discovery

At 11 or 12 years old, Alexander found themselves watching YouTube videos about starting testosterone and top surgery. They didn’t immediately understand why these videos fascinated them. The realization came gradually, leading to their coming out in 2014.

A year later, they discovered a casting notice on Tumblr that would change everything. The role called for a 14-year-old transgender Asian American boy—all three characteristics that perfectly matched Alexander’s identity. Despite having no professional acting experience, they decided to audition.

Breakthrough Role: The OA

Alexander’s debut came in December 2016 when Netflix released The OA, a mysterious sci-fi drama created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. Alexander played Buck Vu, a Vietnamese-American transgender youth whose character was partially based on Alexander’s real experiences.

The casting process was unconventional. According to Marling, industry professionals told the creators they wouldn’t find someone who met all three criteria—age, ethnicity, and gender identity—in the casting world. Instead of compromising, they posted an open casting call online that spread through social media platforms like Tumblr.

Impact on Alexander’s Family

In a 2019 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Alexander revealed how the role helped their parents accept their gender identity. Seeing their child in a meaningful role that reflected their authentic self provided a bridge to understanding that conversations alone hadn’t achieved.

The show ran for two seasons, with Alexander appearing in 13 episodes between 2016 and 2019. In season two, they took on a dual role, playing both Buck and Michelle, a pre-transition version of the character. Alexander described this as emotionally challenging, requiring them to wear long wigs and feminine clothing for the first time since eighth grade.

Expanding Into Video Games: The Last of Us Part II

In October 2017, video game developer Naughty Dog announced Alexander had joined the cast of The Last of Us Part II. They portrayed Lev, a 13-year-old transgender boy who was outcast from the religious fundamentalist survivor group known as the Seraphites.

The game, released in 2020, received widespread critical acclaim and won multiple Game of the Year awards. Alexander’s performance brought emotional depth to Lev’s story, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

The role marked significant representation in gaming, an industry that has historically struggled with authentic LGBTQ+ characters. Alexander’s casting demonstrated a commitment to matching trans characters with trans actors, allowing for performances grounded in lived experience.

Hopes for The Last of Us HBO Series

Alexander has expressed interest in reprising their role for HBO’s television adaptation of The Last of Us. While the show’s second season will cover the game’s storyline where Lev appears, casting decisions remained undisclosed as of late 2024.

Star Trek: Discovery and Making History

In September 2020, Alexander was announced as part of the cast for Star Trek: Discovery season three. They played Gray Tal, marking another historic first—the first transgender character played by a transgender actor in Star Trek’s extensive franchise history.

Gray is a member of the Trill, an alien species where some individuals join with symbiotic companions called symbionts. Gray was Adira’s (played by non-binary actor Blu del Barrio) boyfriend and the previous Trill host who died in an asteroid collision. Through the symbiont, Gray and Adira maintain their connection, creating one of television’s most emotionally resonant trans love stories.

Showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise were fans of Alexander’s work on The OA and shaped the role of Gray specifically for them. Originally, Alexander auditioned for the role of Adira, but producers saw greater potential in creating a character that would complement del Barrio’s performance.

Working With Blu del Barrio

Alexander appeared in 12 episodes across seasons three and four of Star Trek: Discovery. Their on-screen chemistry with del Barrio translated from genuine friendship off-screen. In interviews, both actors spoke warmly about their partnership.

Del Barrio praised Alexander as “a force of nature” and “one of the most caring and giving scene partners.” Alexander credited their complementary backgrounds—del Barrio’s formal theater training versus Alexander’s industry experience since age 14—for creating a balanced partnership.

The show concluded in 2024, but both actors expressed interest in returning to the Star Trek universe through potential spinoffs like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

Other Notable Projects

Beyond their three major roles, Alexander has appeared in several other productions:

Every Day (2018): Based on David Levithan’s novel, Alexander played Vic, a trans teen whom the spirit “A” inhabits for a day. Alexander worked with producers to revise the character description from “biologically female but gendered male” to more respectful language acknowledging gender identity.

Daughter (2022): This independent thriller starred Alexander as “Brother” alongside Casper Van Dien. The film explores a young woman kidnapped and inducted into a bizarre family as their surrogate daughter. Written and directed by Corey Deshon, the film provided Alexander opportunities to explore darker, more complex material.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Alexander voices Tai, one of Lunella’s classmates. The character is revealed as non-binary in the episode “Check Yourself,” adding another layer of representation to children’s programming.

Blue Balls: A vampire horror comedy announced for production, reuniting Alexander with their Star Trek: Discovery co-star Blu del Barrio.

Recognition and Impact

Alexander’s career achievements extend beyond individual performances. Their presence in entertainment represents meaningful progress for LGBTQ+ visibility, particularly for trans and non-binary people of color.

Awards and Honors

In June 2019, Queerty named Alexander to their Pride50 list, recognizing “trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people.” The recognition came during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

That same year, Alexander appeared as one of the cover stars for the 2019 Pride issue of them. magazine, which spotlighted “three rising queer artists whose work and lives are breaking new ground for LGBTQ+ visibility.”

Cultural Significance

Alexander holds several historic distinctions:

• First openly transgender Asian American actor on television
• First transgender character in Star Trek canon played by a transgender actor
• One of the youngest openly trans actors in major streaming productions

These firsts matter beyond symbolism. They represent tangible shifts in casting practices and storytelling approaches. Alexander has been vocal about the importance of trans and non-binary people telling their own stories rather than having cisgender actors portray trans characters.

Advocacy and Personal Voice

Alexander uses their platform to advocate for trans rights and LGBTQ+ visibility. They gained viral attention for their photo response to a transphobic incident perpetrated by four UCLA college students, demonstrating courage in confronting discrimination.

In interviews, Alexander emphasizes the necessity of authentic representation. They’ve praised productions like Star Trek: Discovery for partnering with GLAAD’s director of transgender media and representation, Nick Adams, ensuring respectful and accurate portrayals.

Their social media presence reflects both their professional work and personal passions. With over 86,000 Instagram followers, Alexander shares updates about projects, advocates for causes including animal welfare, and connects directly with fans.

Streaming and Fan Engagement

Alexander also streams on Twitch, though they’ve taken breaks from the platform. They offer personalized video messages through Cameo, where they maintain a perfect 5.0 rating from 58 reviews as of late 2024. Fans praise their warmth and authenticity in these interactions.

What Makes Ian Alexander’s Career Unique

Several factors distinguish Alexander’s trajectory from typical young actors:

Age of Achievement: Alexander began working professionally at 14, achieving historic representation milestones before turning 20. Their youth allows them to grow alongside their audience, potentially influencing a generation’s understanding of gender identity.

Cross-Medium Success: Few actors move seamlessly between streaming television, video games, and film at such an early career stage. Alexander’s versatility demonstrates range beyond being typecast.

Authentic Casting: Each of Alexander’s major roles—Buck, Lev, and Gray—are transgender or non-binary characters played authentically. This consistency shows commitment to meaningful representation rather than tokenism.

Collaborative Approach: Alexander works with writers and directors to shape their characters’ narratives, contributing personal experience to ensure authenticity. This collaborative model represents best practices for inclusive storytelling.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite their success, Alexander navigates an industry still learning how to fully support trans and non-binary talent. Casting opportunities remain limited compared to cisgender actors, and typecasting poses ongoing challenges.

Alexander has expressed hopes for trans actors to receive “more casting calls, inclusive storylines and opportunities behind and in front of the camera.” Their career serves as both inspiration and call to action for the industry.

Looking forward, Alexander’s involvement in upcoming projects like Blue Balls suggests continued growth and experimentation. At 24 years old (as of 2025), they have decades of potential career ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What pronouns does Ian Alexander use?

Alexander uses they/them and he/him pronouns and identifies as non-binary and transmasculine. They prefer they/them but accept he/him as an alternative.

How did Ian Alexander get into acting?

Alexander found a casting call on Tumblr for The OA that sought a transgender Asian American teen. Despite no experience, they auditioned and were cast.

Is Ian Alexander in The Last of Us TV show?

As of late 2024, Alexander has not been confirmed for HBO’s adaptation, though they’ve expressed interest in reprising their role as Lev from the game.

What is Ian Alexander’s ethnic background?

Alexander has mixed heritage—their father is American and their mother is Vietnamese, making them Vietnamese-American.

How old was Ian Alexander on The OA?

Alexander was 14-15 years old when they began filming The OA in 2016 and 17-18 during the second season in 2019.

Conclusion

Ian Alexander’s journey from a Tumblr casting call to groundbreaking television roles demonstrates how authentic representation can transform both individual careers and entire industries. Their work in The OA, Star Trek: Discovery, and The Last of Us Part II has opened doors for trans and non-binary actors while providing crucial visibility for LGBTQ+ youth.

What sets Alexander apart isn’t just their historic firsts but their commitment to collaborative storytelling that honors lived experience. As the entertainment industry continues evolving its approach to representation, Alexander’s career offers a blueprint for authentic, meaningful inclusion. Their story reminds us that true representation means more than checking boxes—it means giving people the space to tell their own stories in their own voices.