Scott Turner Schofield will become the first transgender actor to play a major role on daytime television as he joins the cast of "The Bold and the Beautiful" on May 8.
"Amazing how you can go from unknown to 'famous' in a day. I am grateful to be able to help uplift and honor #transgender people in this moment. I had such help from my communities, becoming me,"
Schofield wrote on his Facebook page Tuesday night in celebration.
"This moment is about every teacher & artist who encouraged me to act despite biased casting; each transperson & ally who attended my shows; and everyone in power who acts their beliefs in order to do something differently."
According to the New York Daily News, producers considered transgender actress Candis Cayne for the role, but ultimately decided on Schofield to play the role of Nick. The character is a sort of transgender mentor to fashion model Maya Avant — played by Karla Mosley — who is questioning her gender.
"I’m Maya’s best friend and I come from her world when she first landed in Los Angeles before she became the huge success that she is," Schofield explained after the announcement. "We met in the trans community together. I’m her friend that comes in and kind of help remind her that she is beautiful and whole and authentic exactly as she is."
"And as things start to happen and discrimination mounts, she can stand strong in who she is and how she made the right choices for herself. So in that sense, it feels like playing myself in a certain way," he added.
The news of Schofield's casting comes just days after famous Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner came out as transgender in a widely-watched interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer.
On Sunday, Schofield encouraged viewers who want to more know about transgender people to watch his TED Talk.