Cassandra James: Trans Visibility and HBO Max’s ‘Sort Of’

A show that is truly breaking barriers for the queer community, Sort Of is now available to stream on HBO Max.

The half-hour comedy follows genderfluid millennial Sabi Mehboob, played by Bilal Baig, who straddles various identities from sexy bartender at a LGBTQ bookstore/bar to the de facto parent of a downtown hipster tribe. Feeling like every aspect of their life is in transition, Sort Of is a coming-of-age story that exposes the labels we once poured ourselves into. In reality, they are no longer applicable to anyone.

OFM had the pleasure of chatting with trans actor Cassandra James, who plays Olympia, a trans woman who enters Sabi’s life and shows them that they can be happy. James came into the public eye in 2018 after joining the cast of ABC’s General Hospital as Dr. Terry Randolph, making her the first transgender woman in a major role on daytime television.

Can you begin by telling us what you have enjoyed the most about being a part of HBO Max’s Sort Of?
This is such a vibrant and unapologetically queer show, and that has been such a joy for me. To join a cast that is very queer, and it’s created and curated by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, it was such a treat.

What makes this show unique and worth checking out?
Besides all the monumental firsts that are associated with this show, like Bilal making history by taking up space as the lead in this production, there’s also something for everyone. There is so much heart in this show, and I am very excited for everyone to climb into Sabi’s world and watch them navigate the hardships that are inherent in the human experience. I am happy to be part of their journey.

You play Olympia. Can you tell us more about your character?
Olympia is a trans woman, and it’s unclear why she left her successful career in California to work for Google in Toronto. She kind of blows onto the scene in the second half of the season, and I think she’s there to inspire and invite Sabi to shift their perspective. I don’t think Sabi has ever seen a trans woman like Olympia before. She’s a lot of fun, and she gives very good advice.

Ultimately, what do you hope audiences take away from Sort Of?
I think there’s something really remarkable to be said about the amount of visibility that this show is showcasing. I am excited by projects that have a lot of nuances, and I feel like this show absolutely does. It shows queer people from different backgrounds who come into each other’s lives with different opinions and experiences, and we get to see so many of them navigate this thing called life. I believe that is a powerful and meaningful takeaway.

Have you always had a passion for acting?
I have been a storyteller my whole life. I really cannot imagine doing anything else. I love what I do, and I feel really blessed.

You are well-known for your recurring character on ABC’s General Hospital, which made you the first transgender woman to play a major role on daytime television. How significant is that, and how meaningful has it been for you?
Joining an incredible show like General Hospital, there’s such a legacy that’s been built over so many years, and I have so much gratitude for Frank, our executive producer, and everyone else at GH who really built, advocated, and lifted up the character of Dr. Terry Randolph. The importance of her as a character is not lost on me. I think it’s really exciting that I get to play a trans woman who is loved by her community and has a high-profile job in the community that the show takes place in. She’s successful; she’s a good friend; she’s liked—these are meaningful aspects of our identities as trans folks that I get to celebrate through the portrayal of Terry. It’s very meaningful to me.

Is there anything you would like to say about your former co-star Ingo Rademacher, who recently signed off due to controversy?
I am constantly aware of the fact that transphobia exists. I am not delusional about that. We are navigating microaggressions and transphobia every day as trans folks, and we are beginning to really thrive in this new wave of visibility that I am honored to be a part of. The only thing that I really want to say about everything that happened with the show and with his posts is how disappointed I am. I’m disappointed that we as trans folks are still facing this kind of adversity.

Although, I am very thankful for the GH community because they have uplifted me. To rally behind me as an artist and celebrate me, the work that I’m doing, and the character of Terry, it shows that love always wins. Love really does always kind of outweigh the negative, and there’s a lot of healing I think other people need to do. It’s disappointing when people take their anger out on other people.

I saw how much support you were receiving from fans and your GH family, and that truly is amazing.
The fans have really rallied behind me during this time, and it’s very, very meaningful to me. I’m reading as many of the DMs as possible, and there’s a lot of positivity coming my way and the trans community at this moment. I am excited to continue to cultivate and celebrate the joy and the love that we’re finding in this moment.

What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform as a trans entertainer?
I have such big dreams and ambitions. I am looking forward to telling more stories. I want to work, and I’m ready for the world to see more of what I can do as an artist. I am also looking forward to representing the trans community with grace, love, and as much of my light as possible.

What does the rest of 2021 look like for you?
I am very excited for the American audience to spend some time with Sort Of, and I also had a holiday movie come out on Thanksgiving called A Christmas Sunset. That can be found on Amazon Prime Video, so make sure to check it out!

Stay up-to-date and connect with James by following her on Instagram and Twitter.

Photos Courtesy of Shaun Vadella