Brian Michael Smith

Brian Michael Smith born January 29 1983 is an American actor known for groundbreaking performances on television and advocacy for trans representation in media His role as Toine Wilkins a transgender police officer in Ava DuVernays Queen Sugar OWN launched him into a series of highprofile roles including political strategist Pierce Williams in Showtimes The L Word Generation Q 2019 cast Smith became the first out black trans man in a series regular role on network television when he was cast as firefighter Paul Strickland in FOXs 911 Lone Star 2020 Other appearances include NBCs Chicago PD HBOs Girls and Showtimes thriller Homeland