The news of the casting of five transgender actors for FX’s, Pose – the largest TV cast of transgender actors to date is being hailed as a first. Before this a little film from the UK, MUM by writer and first-time director, Anne-Marie O’Connor cast three generations of transgender actors and is currently receiving rave reviews at international film festivals. O’Connor set out with one intention, to make a film with a transgender character at the heart of it telling a truly universal story. Where the trans character’s story doesn’t rely on their gender: to show that life gets in the way for everyone. The three stages of the main character’s life, as a young boy, a young man and trans woman are played respectively by trans actors Joe Pearson (9), Ash Palmisciano (26) and Kate O’Donnell (52).

Mum premiered at London’s BFI Flare Film Festival in March. Since then it has been selected in competition at Edinburgh International Film Festival, London Independent Film Festival, Global Shorts, Galway International Film Fleadh, Cork International Film Festival, Leeds International Film Festival and London Short Film Festival (amongst others), picking up Awards for Excellence and Best LGBTQ film along the way. Mum was co-created by and stars leading trans voice and actor, Kate O’Donnell (Twelfth Night, Big Girl’s Blouse, You’ve Changed) it also stars Lee Boardman (HBO’s Rome, DaVinci’s Demons, Jack the Giant Slayer), Kenneth Colley (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Peaky Blinders) and Margot Leicester (King Charles III).

Anne-Marie O’Connor created Sky 1’s hit comedy, Trollied which is now in its eighth Season. She works both in the UK and the US and has worked on her own original projects with Danny Strong (Empire, The Butler), Howard Gordon (24, Homeland) and Jamie Tarses (Friends).

Synopsis: A film featuring trans characters of three generations at the heart of it, telling a universal story: When Kate goes back to see her mother after a few years away, she realises that far from being ready for a day out, her mum is gravely ill. And no one thought to tell her. So she takes matters into her own hands and although she doesn’t get the day she wanted, she gets the day she needed. 

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6213932/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvNRjvr02fU

Twitter: @mum_film

Website: mumthefilm.co.uk