Emma Corrin discusses challenges of ‘discovering’ gender identity in film industry

Emma Corrin opened up about the difficulties they’ve faced while being in the public eye  (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Emma Corrin opened up about the difficulties they’ve faced while being in the public eye (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage)

Emma Corrin has candidly discussed the difficulties of navigating their gender identity in the film industry.

The 26-year-old, who goes by they/them pronouns, has publicly identified as non-binary since 2021, and has shared details of their gender identity journey on social media.

Now, the star has elaborated on the struggles they’ve faced in the public sphere while “embracing” their identity in a new interview with the New York Times.

The Crown actor said: “My identity and being nonbinary is an embrace of many different parts of myself, the masculine and the feminine and everything in between.

“It’s hard to be discovering something in yourself at the same time [as] you’re navigating an industry that demands a lot of you, in terms of knowing who you are.”

The star has identified as non-binary publicly since 2021 (PA Wire)
The star has identified as non-binary publicly since 2021 (PA Wire)

Last month, the British star said they hoped that the Oscars will opt for gender neutral categories at future ceremonies, explaining they did not believe the existing awards show categories were “inclusive enough”.

Corrin has won a Golden Globe award for best actress for their performance as Princess Diana in series four of the hit Netflix drama, and has starred in two high-profile films this year, My Policeman and Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Speaking to the BBC’s Today Programme about the possibility of gender neutral categories at major awards shows, they said: “I hope for a future in which that happens.

“I don’t think the categories are inclusive enough at the moment. It’s about everyone being able to feel acknowledged and represented.”

The actor added that more representation was needed within roles in the entertainment industry, to encourage “more of an urgency” around addressing the subject.

Corrin played Princess Diana in The Crown (AP)
Corrin played Princess Diana in The Crown (AP)

“When it comes to categories, do we need to make it specific as to whether you’re being nominated for a female role or a male role?” they said.

“You can discuss awards and the representation there, but really the conversation needs to be about having more representation in the material itself, in the content that we are seeing for non-binary people, for queer people, for trans people, because then I think that will change a lot.

“When those parts come up, meaning more people and more actors are playing those roles, then I think there will be more of an urgency with which these questions will be addressed.”