Im curious, though, whether or not we will see a trickle-down effect to non-binary performers getting to play non-binary characters or whether their roles will be along binary lines. The discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences. People keep talking about the niceness of Ted Lasso, but thats because were seeing men be nice, and thats considered radical. Sun: Its a great answer. Did the concept of Taylor also being non-binary come from you?No, the character was written as non-binary. Pink is his associated color, and his weapons and powers are defensive things. 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. Asia Kate Dillion talks about acting alongside Dan Soder in 'Billions.'Hear more from Faction Talk on our app! I dont know, Abbey, if that is way too old of a reference for you, but I was reading back through the commentary at the time Roddenberry meant it as a LGBT allegory to criticize conversion therapy and forcing somebody to be something that they dont naturally feel. Weve long had queer villains, but were getting queer heroes, queer love interests, smart queer people and strong queer people. The nonbinary actor, who plays nonbinary characters in Billions and the new John Wick film, wants to expand the conversation around gender identity, onscreen and off. Were all babies and then someone looks at whats between our legs and assigns us a sex, then a gender identity is placed on top. So I dont have to change my body, I can release she/her pronouns, I can use they/them. White: The first thing that we should know about non-binary is that non-binary is not actually a gender. I love how much you love the show. They are known for playing Brandy Epps in Orange Is the New Black (2013) and Taylor Mason in Billions (2016). The mission is to produce work that supports and uplifts historically marginalized and disenfranchised people. And shes kind of sturdy. You kind of feel like you're chasing something you can never attain. Asia Kate Dillon: 'This Is Who I Am' - New York Times I think that non-binary identity is still sort of fresh for much of the industry. The creators, David and Bryan, both have children of various ages, and their kids would come home and be talking to them and say like, Yeah my friend is coming over, theyll be here at 6:00. And Brian or David would say Wait, how many people are coming? Or, They? It began as an organic conversation about their kids worlds and their kids friends, so when they were developing a character that was younger, who was an intern, it just sort of made sense to them to have that character be in this world. But I certainly know that my gender is not something, and thats what makes it clear for me. And if Taylor, if this fictional character can exist in this fictional world and has been brave enough to get up and get dressed and go out there into the world and be who they really are, then I can too. I remember Danny Strongs character, Todd Krakow, making some snide remarks while he lost to you at the poker tournament. I have always felt non-binary, always, before I had the language to conceive or communicate what that was to other people. And what kinds of ongoing collaborations do you have with discussing this aspect of Taylors character and their storylines? This is who I am.. And its whats at the base levelideologies of racism and patriarchy, etc.thats the conversation I want to be having. At . Its not even about non-binary white actors. Because I feel like its also extraordinary to have a character whos never referred to by a pronoun. Theres no question. I love full makeup. Its Pat. If you are a white mother and you have a Black daughter, how do you talk to that child about who they are as a Black person in America? It was just not a thing. But theres also something freeing about seeing a character who walks around and is comfortable with who they are. Sun: Pat even got their own movie, didnt they? Our producer, Matt, is going to kill me if I do a three-hour conversation about metaphysics, but what I love is that Taylor now that Taylor has been on the show for four seasons the representation of Taylor is awakening that kind of consciousness to an untold, an innumerable number of people who get to watch Billions. We know that there is a reality in which trans, non-binary, intersex, gender nonconforming people are the targets of hate, bigotry, violence, discrimination, whether its job discrimination, housing discrimination, they have higher rates of bullying and suicide than any other marginalized group. "Loving myself is a practice. You have played female characters in the past, such as Brandy on Orange is the New Black, and any concerns about whether or not that runs the risk of reinforcing a gender binary? When its used well, when its telling a story well, or creating representation or visibility for something thats really lacking it can really save lives. Asia Kate Dillon attends the Season 5 celebration of "Orange is the New Black" at Catch, June 9, 2017, in N.Y. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images, FILE Thats a conversation about racism, and it feels weird, right? So I dont have the honest answers. To be clear, I am not trying to dampen a moment that is joyous and one that I celebrate, but I want to address the full picture. And because it is not the focal point of Taylors storyline on the show, the things that I talk with Brian and David about are financial stuff, stuff that has to do with the financial world, or what Taylor knows or doesnt know about certain things with regard to the job. ", "Non-binary is a term used by some people, myself included, who experience their gender identity as falling somewhere outside the boxes of man or woman," the actor explained. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Which is why they were the perfect muse for a mix of non-binary summer fashion. Elliot Page, Laverne Cox, Josie Totah and more actors and influencers share important reflections and lessons from their experiences as transgender people. Then it also said, "Some people may refer to this as gender fluid or genderqueer.". Oh, this person is starring in this thing. I also imagine there are a lot of people on the Billions set trying to look like finance bros.I suppose so, yeah. In person, Dillon also exhibits an extraordinary amount of empathy: In conversation they (more on that pronoun in a bit) graciously express empathy for Donald and Melania Trump, and they show it whenas we grab a quick lunch for this interviewthey are approached by a rather bold young gentleman (who could have walked straight off the Billions set) for an all-too-presumptuously familiar chat. 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. Asia Kate Dillon Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images I mean, because the trick of Pat was Pat just was clueless. Dillon: So you actually just gave an example of a thing that came to my mind that I want to say. And the teaching moment didnt hit anyone over the head with this is the righteous way to be because it rang true to the characters, and I think that is a credit to the extraordinary writing we have on the show.