Jen Richards is quickly making a name for herself with her dramatic acting chops and ability to perform. Richards was most recently seen on television in the HBO limited series Mrs. Fletcher opposite Kathryn Hahn. Based on Tom Perrotta’s novel by the same name, her portrayal of transgender community college writing teacher Margo Fairchild was called “charmingly wry” by Rolling Stone. It was recently announced that the documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen, which Richards is a featured subject, will have its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. From director Sam Feder, the documentary is an investigation of how Hollywood’s fabled stories have deeply infuenced how Americans feel about transgender people and how transgender people have been taught to feel about themselves. Laverne Cox, Lilly Wachowski, Yance Ford and Chaz Bono are also featured in the documentary. Earlier this year Richards earned rave reviews for her work in the critically acclaimed revival of Tales of the City. From showrunner Lauren Morelli for Netflix, Richards played “Young Anna Madrigal,” a role originated by Olympia Dukakis, in the flashback episode. Touted by Rolling Stone as “…easily the revival’s highlight,“ the episode follows Anna as she is just beginning her transition and is able to pass in a way that many members of San Francisco’s burgeoning trans community at the time can’t. Richards first burst onto the entertainment scene when she received a Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for Her Story, a series she created, wrote and starred in about the dating lives of trans women. The series went on to receive a Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Series, and Special Recognition at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards. Since her debut, she has become a mainstay on television having roles in some of primetime’s most popular ensemble casts including stints on Nashville, Doubt and Blindspot as well as the independent film Easy LIving. She also co-produced the series More Than T and wrote the series Trans 101. Outside of acting, Richards is currently writing a limited series to be produced by Sarah Jessica Parker. She is also developing a show centered on the lives of trans and queer high school students for Sony Television, with Gabrielle Union executive producing. In addition to writing and producing, Richards is a trans activist. Born in Mississippi, Richards currently resides in Los Angeles.