The cast of Ryan Murphy's upcoming FX series, Pose [1], is unlike any group that has been assembled for a major TV show. The show, set in 1980s New York City and following the rise of the underground ballroom scene and the LGBTQ+ youth and people of color who built it, will star familiar faces like Kate Mara and James Van Der Beek [2], but it's the record-breaking number of transgender actors in leading roles that will make Pose a classic before it even airs.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a nationwide search was conducted [3] for the show and led to Pose casting MJ Rodriguez, Hailie Sahar, Indya Moore, Angelica Ross, and Dominique Jackson as series regulars. With five transgender actors in main roles, Pose has already made history with the largest number of transgender actors ever to be cast as series regulars for a scripted series.

We're still waiting on word about the June release date, but until then, get to know some of the cast members who will be striking a pose in the ballroom when the series debuts this Summer.

Indya Moore

Before Pose, Moore was a model for brands like Christian Dior and starred alongside Pose castmate MJ Rodriguez in the film Saturday Church.

MJ Rodriguez

Rodriguez has theatrical roots and played Angel Dumott Schunard in an off-Broadway revival of Rent.

Angelica Ross

In addition to acting, Ross is an entrepreneur who founded an incubator called TransTech that helps LGBTQ+ talent find employment.

Hailie Sahar

Sahar's previous TV credits include Transparent and Mr. Robot.

Dominique Jackson

Jackson has been a model for more than 20 years and penned an autobiography called The Transsexual From Tobago.

Billy Porter

Billy is a Broadway legend who won a Tony for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots.

James Van Der Beek

Don't expect Van Der Beek to play nice in Pose. The TV icon will play a kingpin in the drama.

Kate Mara

Pose marks Mara's latest project with Ryan Murphy; she was also in the first season of American Horror Story [4].

Evan Peters

Like Mara, Peters is no stranger to the TV world of Ryan Murphy; he is a staple on American Horror Story [5].

Dyllon Burnside

Burnside is not just an actor, but a writer, producer, and singer, too! Before Pose, he had roles in Peter Pan Live and High Maintenance.