‘Modern Family’ To Feature Transgender Child Actor Jackson Millarker

Modern Family’s new episode Wednesday night will feature guest star Jackson Millarker, an 8-year-old transgender actor.

Modern Family Transgender Guest Star

It was announced earlier this week that Modern Family had cast transgender child actor Millarker for the storyline in Wednesday’s episode, “A Stereotypical Day.” Millarker will play Lily’s friend Tom.

The episode’s description reads: “Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) have always felt they were the most open, non-judgmental and supportive parents. However, when they overhear Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) insulting her new friend, they have to take a quick look in the mirror before they teach her a lesson about acceptance.”

On Instagram, “A Stereotypical Day” director Ryan Case confirmed the casting news with a note about working with Millarker, and about being proud to work on ABC’s Modern Family.

“This is Jackson Millarker,” Case announced. “He’s 8 years old, from Atlanta, and just happens to be transgender. He plays Lily’s friend Tom in this week’s Modern Family and he’s wonderful. One of the many reasons I love being a part of this show.”

The news of Millarker’s casting comes after Jeffrey Tambor‘s second Emmy win for playing a transgender woman who transitions later in life on Amazon’s Transparent.

“Please give transgender talent a chance. Give them auditions. Give them their story,” Tambor said in his acceptance speech. “I would not be unhappy if I were the last cisgender male to play a female transgender on television.”

“A Stereotypical Day” airs Wednesday on ABC at 9/8c.