Skip To Content
  • Comic Con badge

Nicole Maines Is Playing The First Transgender Superhero On "Supergirl" And People Are PUMPED

"I wish there was a trans superhero when I was little."

Supergirl flew into San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend with a groundbreaking announcement.

At the show's panel, they announced that Nicole Maines will be playing TV's first transgender superhero — a monumental step for representation in the superhero genre.

Maines is scheduled to play Nia Nal, the newest addition to CatCo's reporting team. Nia will follow a similar path as Kara/Supergirl, which will lead her to embrace her superhero identity as Dreamer.

The character is said to be the ancestor of DC Comics superhero Nura Nal/Dream Girl, a superhero who can predict the deaths of others. The character is also not specified as being transgender.

In 2014, Maines made headlines when the state of Maine's Supreme Court ruled that her rights had been violated under the state's Human Rights Act. The case became a massive victory for trans rights in its ruling that transgender people can use the bathroom of their choice.

When discussing her character at Supergirl's SDCC panel, Maines said, "She has this ferocious drive to protect people and to fight against discrimination and hatred...She’s the superhero we need right now.”

She concluded by saying, "I wish there was a trans superhero when I was little."

Maines was THRILLED to finally share the news, even going so far as making this incredible Supergirl joke when breaking the news:

AAAH YES IT FEELS SO GOOD TO HAVE THE CAT GRANT OUT OF THE BAG!! #supergirl #nianal

Twitter: @NicoleAMaines / Via Twitter: @NicoleAMaines

Soon after the news broke, people on Twitter couldn't wait to share their excitement that this kind of representation is finally making its way to the superhero genre:

nicole maines, a trans woman, playing the first trans superhero. this is so fucking important https://t.co/bMUlQda4ny

Twitter: @evesluisa / Via Twitter: @evesluisa

Oh my god... Trans girl superhero. On network television. Played by a trans girl! When I was a kid, I honestly never thought I would see this in my lifetime. There's a lot of shit in the world, but maybe we're actually clawing our way forward, too. https://t.co/BpRCIfIdH7

Twitter: @AmazonChique / Via Twitter: @AmazonChique

fully in tears to hear the first trans superhero announced and see @NicoleAMaines walking out on the stage for the SG panel

Twitter: @Narraboth17 / Via Twitter: @Narraboth17

Some fans were quick to point out that DC is doing something Marvel has failed to do:

Look ya’ll, the #MCU might be dragging its feet for #LGBTQ representation, but @GBerlanti is over on the #CW doing his damn best. Adding @NicoleAMaines to #Supergirl is a great decision, and it’s about damn time tbh. #DCTV #SDCC18 #Arrowverse

Twitter: @yaasssqweenlydz / Via Twitter: @yaasssqweenlydz

And of course, people can't wait to welcome her to the Supergirl family with open arms:

Twitter: @skylabluthor / Via Twitter: @skylabluthor

@NicoleAMaines welcome to the supergirl family we love you so much you beautiful QUEEN

Twitter: @kctedison / Via Twitter: @kctedison

THIS IS A NICOLE MAINES/NIA NALL STAN ACCOUNT thank you for your time

Twitter: @catgront / Via Twitter: @catgront

Welcome, Nicole! We're so happy you're here!