‘Roseanne’ reboot to include ‘non-binary child’ named Mark who is ‘sensitive and effeminate’
The Roseanne cast has reunited and a much anticipated reboot is scheduled to hit airwaves in March 2018 and has already stirred up controversy. Attempting to stay current with the “portrayal of contemporary politics and social issues,” that one of Roseanne’s grandchildren in the reboot will be portrayed as a “non-binary child.”
Non-binary people do not identify with being either a man or a woman. Rather, these individuals often choose to reject gender completely, blend aspects of both or fluctuate between masculinity and femininity on a day-to-day basis. Some use different pronouns, preferring not to be referred to as either “he” or “she.”
On the new version of the show, one of Darlene and David’s two children is being cast as “gender creative.” The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki will be reprising his role of David Healy for one episode.
Casting calls for 9-year-old Mark, named after daughter Becky’s late husband, called for actors who can play “sensitive and effeminate” and a child who “displays qualities of both young female and male traits.” In the end, Ames McNamara was cast in the role.
“I’ve always attempted to portray a realistic portrait of the American people, working-class people — and in fact it was working-class people who elected Trump — so I felt that was very real and something that needed to be discussed,” Barr told reporters at the Television Critics Association earlier this month. “This is a time where the country is very divided, and we did have a wonderful opportunity to talk about this in the context of a family.”
The first production photo of McNamara as Mark reveals that Darlene’s child will show an affinity for dressing in feminine clothing.
While the Showtime hit “Billions” made history as the first television program to feature a non-binary character, this Roseanne news is a big first for network television, as the reboot is set to air on ABC during primetime hours.
ABC has set the premiere of the show for March 27, 2018. Parent company Disney has been silent about the controversial move.