Batgirl casts Ivory Aquino as DC Cinematic Universe's first trans character Alysia Yeoh

HBO Max film Batgirl has cast Ivory Aquino as Alysia Yeoh, the best friend of Barbara Gordon aka the protagonist played by Leslie Grace. 

Both Aquino and the character she will play on screen are transgender persons. Her casting marks the first time for a DC Cinematic Universe live-action film to feature an openly trans character. 

According to Variety, Yeoh first appeared in the 2011 issue of Batgirl, written by Gail Simone and drawn by Ardian Syaf.

Previously, Nicole Maines played the trans character Dreamer on The CW’s Supergirl in 2018. Zach Barack, who is trans, emulated Peter Parker's classmate in Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019.

Batgirl, currently been shot in the UK, also stars Brendan Fraser as antagonist and Michael Keaton as Batman, a role he took on in Tim Burton's Batman. J.K. Simmons will be seen as Barbara Gordon's father Commissioner Jim Gordon. 

Adil El Arbi and Bilall Falla are the directors, while the script has been penned by Christina Hodson of The Flash and Birds of Prey fame, writes The Hollywood Reporter.