Movies like Ace Ventura where all the men vomit because they find out the woman is trans doesn’t make you want to share stuff.”, While there have been similar incidents about drug testing reported in the news, for Billings, the power of the scene spoke to “when trans people and why trans people reveal,” she says. In an interview with ET, Alexandra talks about her role as Robin on The Conners. It was at Wellman Plastics that Jackie had a romantic relationship with her supervisor played by George Clooney. “We started to find out as the episodes went on, who exactly Robin is,” Billings says, adding that while audiences might not see as much of her after this episode, that’ll she be around and continue to make her mark. The Conners, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC. It feels necessary. Billings plays Robin, a transgender woman who lives in Lanford and works as a supervisor in the local factory. It’s the people that don’t know that don’t need to know. ® & © 2021 CBS Studios Inc. © 2021 CBS Television Distribution and CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. But more importantly, the act of coming out or revealing oneself as Billings puts it should be when they’re in control and feel safe doing so. Transparent vet Alexandra Billings is joining The Conners for Season 3. She also credits the writers for getting to know her better as she’s continued to work on the show and write Robin to her tempo and cadences as a performer. Robin will reportedly be a friend and mentor to Darlene throughout multiple … In Season 3, The Conners continue to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford. . She says, "One of the things I love about Robin is she’s flawed, she’s fallible, she’s got a temper. Billings has been in other roles such as “Goliath” and “Diary of a Future President.” Now on “The Conners,” she plays Robin, a supervisor at the Wellman factory where several characters work. Now, she’s currently guest-starring on The Conners in a multi-episode arc as Robin, a supervisor at the Wellman factory where Becky (Lecy Goranson) and Darlene (Sara Gilbert) now work in season 3. The Hollywood legend, who previously starred as Davina on Transparent, guest stars in ABC sitcom The Conners as recurring character Robin, a … Jay R. Ferguson as Ben (Darlene’s boss) on The Conners. EXCLUSIVE: Transparent alumna Alexandra Billings has joined ABC ’s The Conners for a multi-episode arc in the current third season. Otherwise, it’s very funny.”, It’s also a far cry from her experiences with the writers on Curb Your Enthusiasm, which wrote a degrading scene where a trans woman bails on the line to the ladies’ restroom for a urinal in the interest of time. 2021 GRAMMY Awards Nominees: See the Complete List, 2021 GRAMMY Awards Performers: See the Complete List, 2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List, How to Watch the 2021 GRAMMYs This Sunday, 'iCarly' Cast Hypes Up Fans as They Reunite at 2021 Kids’ Choice Award, Selena's Sister on Singer Getting GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, Meghan Markle's Alleged Email About a Kate Middleton Story Surfaces, Protest, Drug Test and One Leaves the Nest. Robin Charles is the daughter of Dr Daniel Charles.She is an epidemiologist at Chicago Medical Center. Look who is taking a spot on #TheConners couch this week! After her acclaimed turn on the Amazon series Transparent, longtime actress Alexandra Billings has made notable appearances on shows like Goliath and Diary of a Future President as well as on Broadway in The Nap and Wicked. Billings will play Robin, a transgender woman who works as a supervisor at Wellman Plastics where Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Lecy Goranson) are employed. With John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Alicia Goranson. It doesn’t matter to my dry cleaner and it doesn’t matter at work,” Robin says, adding, “It’s not worth the PTSD. She’s also had recurring roles on Never Have I Ever, Goliath, and Diary of a Female President. Trans actress Alexandra Billings (Transparent) has been announced to join the cast of ABC’s The Connors for a multi-episode arc in the current season. You’re going to get my feedback,’” she recalls, adding that after reading it, “The only thing I had to do was maybe change two or three little, tiny lines. Season 2. The official synopsis reveals Darlene’s friendship with Robin “lands [Darlene] in an awkward situation between the boss and her sister, Becky.”, Billings is best known for starring as Davina in the acclaimed Amazon series Transparent. To stay up to date on breaking TV news, sign up for ET's daily newsletter. Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. Billings would appear on the show as "Robin," a transgender woman with a no-nonsense aura, who lives in Lanford and works as a factory supervisor. It’s over,” she says. After Becky comes to her defense, saying that she shouldn’t be forced to come out, Robin explains what the real issue is: she doesn’t want to be subject to unwanted humiliation and negative attention. Alexandra Billings joins ‘The Connors’ (photo: ABC). It feels right. Pic credit: ABC. Jill Soloway and Alexandra Billings on How Far-ish Transgender Storytelling Has Come (Exclusive), How 'Pose' Shined a Light on the #BlackTransLivesMatter Movement (Exclusive), 'Star Trek: Discovery': Ian Alexander on Playing First Trans Character, By signing up, you agree to our Roseanne Conner (née Harris) is played by Roseanne Barr. The Conners airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Robin joined Chicago Medical Center after helping with a rare infection.. The openly transgender actress will be playing a character by the name … “Hollywood has to take note of us and so we’re helping to educate them,” she says. And just like that, “Robin just becomes another person in town.”, When it comes to the storyline in the episode, which was penned by Debby Wolfe, Billings says that the writers’ room opened the door for her feedback on the script before they filmed. Despite issues with Barr in the past, the show made news when Alexandra Billings became the show’s first openly transgender character. She's not the nicest human being in the world." Launched in 2011 as my ’sassy American soapbox,’ The Randy Report covers the daily news cycle regarding politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community and its allies. “Isn't that funny?,” Billings says now, remarking on how different the experiences were on both sets while both writers’ rooms were largely filled with similar old, white cisgender men. Alexandra Billings (r) with the cast of The Connors, According to Deadline, Robin – described as no-nonsense but fair – becomes a friend and mentor to Darlene. “She's not the nicest human being in the world.”. I’m not running away.” Robin, the actress says, is not someone who feels the need to come out to everyone all the time. On Wednesday's episode of The Conners, Becky (Lecy Goranson) staged a protest at Wellman Plastics to fight supervised drug testing after her boss Robin (Transparent's Alexandra … Directed by Fred Savage. The character would be played by Hollywood's Alexandra Billings, and she would continue as a recurring character on the show. “That’s really for me what the focus was because Robin does this in a way that is about, ‘I’m making a decision to do this because it has something to do with why you think I might be a coward, right?’ Because she’s leaving and Becky says, ‘Don’t do that.’”. “I always tell any trans human being, wherever they are in their journey, that whenever they decide to reveal, that they do it when they feel safe. A Hollywood veteran of nearly two decades, Alexandra Billings is currently guest-starring on a multi-episode arc of the hit ABC sitcom The Conners as Robin… That happens a lot in our community. When confronted by Becky over the decision, Robin shares that she’s a transgender woman. In The Conners episode ‘Friends in High Places and Horse Surgery,’ while Darlene (Sara Gilbert) brings home her new friend at work, supervisor … The Conners: Wednesday, on ABC. Darlene's friendship with a manager at Wellman Plastics lands her in an awkward situation; Louise's brother tries to win over Jackie by making a thoughtful gesture, creating uncomfortable tension. The Conners has tapped Alexandra Billings (Transparent) to recur during Season 3 as Robin, a transgender woman who is a supervisor at the Wellman Plastics factory where Darlene and … Ultimately, she credits the increasing visibility of transgender and non binary people working both in front of and behind the camera on film and TV. It was announced last month that Alexandra Billings would be joining Season 3 of The Conners in order to play the role of Robin Shetsky, Becky and Darlene’s boss at Wellman Plastics factory. Darlene — who just so happens to be played by a lesbian icon — embraces her son’s coming out, but it’s not the same for Austin’s parents. The Conners cast has a new regular with Darlene’s boss. “And they are taking a step forward -- it feels that way, anyway.”. Click through the images above to learn who they played and more. The Conners Estelle Parsons James Pickens Jr. Johnny Galecki Juliette Lewis Justin Long “I came out a long, long time ago. Sara Gilbert, Alexandra Billings on THE CONNERS (ABC/Eric McCandless) In The Conners episode ‘Friends in High Places and Horse Surgery,’ while … Billings will make her debut in the November 25 episode. On Broadway, the veteran actress appeared in the mega-hit musical Wicked as ‘Madame Morrible.’. The Conners (TV Series 2018– ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. “The way they wrote it was revolutionary in the sense that I say it. ‘The Conners': Alexandra Billings Says Robin and Becky’s Heart-to-Heart ‘Was More Difficult Than I Thought’ “It got very emotional for me. On Tuesday, Deadline reported that Transparent alum Alexandra Billings will appear on Season 3 of The Conners, which is currently airing. “I was only supposed to do a couple of episodes and they kept asking me back,” she reveals. The Conners recently made its Season 3 premiere drawing 4.8 million viewers. She was an epidemiologist and had a not-so-great relationship with her father. Charles quickly began dating Dr. Connor Rhodes (played by Colin Donnell). I feel good about it. Robin is friends with Darlene, played by Sara Gilbert. Now, she’s currently guest-starring on The Conners in a multi-episode arc as Robin, a supervisor at the Wellman factory where Becky (Lecy Goranson) … Out trans actress Alexandra Billings makes her first appearance as a recurring character in the third season of ABC's The Conners this Wednesday, Nov. 25. In a multi-episode arc, Billings plays Robin, a no-nonsense, but fair transgender woman who becomes a friend and mentor to Darlene. On the most recent episode, “Protest, Drug Test and One Leaves the Nest,” which aired on Wednesday, Robin reveals that she’s quitting her job after the factory mandates that all employees must submit to a supervised drug test. Billings is best known for starring as Davina in the acclaimed Amazon series, Judge Finds Former Trump Campaign Chair Lied To Investigators, Washington Post Sums Up Adam Schiff’s Breakdown Of Trump’s Abuse Of Power, Donald Trump Proposes 20% Tariff On European Cars. We also saw her steal a few things from Rhodes’s father. She constantly tries to control the lives of her sister, husband, children, co-workers, and friends. Billings will play Robin, a transgender woman who works as a supervisor at Wellman Plastics where Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Lecy Goranson) are employed. On The Conners Season 3 Episode 10 Review, when Dan has a bad reaction to Chuck's new boat, they consider splitting up the business, and Jackie wants to be on Jeopardy. Billings will play Robin, a transgender woman who works as a supervisor at Wellman Plastics, which is where both Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Lecy Goranson) are employed. EXCLUSIVE: Transparent alumna Alexandra Billings has joined ABC’s The Conners for a multi-episode arc in the current third season. “The great example of Robin is you can be a trans person and reveal when you're comfortable, when you need to, when it's safe,” she explains. Roseanne, in a takeoff of her stand-up comedic and presumed real-life persona, is a bossy, loud, caustic, overweight, and dominant woman. Billings plays Robin, a … And you know in your gut when you make the decision and you say to yourself, ‘This feels really good. Alexandra Billings and @NatFaxon guest star on Wednesday’s all-new episode pic.twitter.com/IN5anv9grB, — The Conners (@TheConnersABC) November 20, 2020. “And not according to anyone else's rules.”. Principal cast members, Sara Gilbert, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and Lecy Goranson have all inked new deals for The Conners season three, according to Deadline on Friday. The sitcom, which has continued without Roseanne Barr following an ugly racist incident, chronicles the daily struggles of the Connor family – Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. In the context of the real world, especially after Oscar-nominated performer Elliot Page came out as transgender, Billings says it’s important that transgender people reveal themselves on their own terms. In actuality, Billings says, “That has nothing to do with it. Mary Steenburgen stopped by The Conners to play a pivotal role in one of the most talked about and controversial storylines on TV in 2018. It’s bringing me a little bit of joy.’” she explains, adding, “That’s what I loved about that scene between Robin and Becky.”, Billings says Becky’s reaction is “beautiful” because there’s no gobsmacked moment where she (or the audience) overreacts to Robin’s disclosure. In Generation Gap, Charles notices Robin spacing out while staring at a vending machine.He then saw her at the cafeteria where she was worriedly looking for her wallet. Alexandra Billings loves playing Robin on 'The Conners.' And safety can be complex, but you know in your gut when you are being forced to do something, when you feel pushed to do something. “I felt very blessed and very lucky.”. At the time, she said, “I refuse to read for this part and you should change it.”. “And I said, ‘Don’t worry. The answer is that the Ben is played by none other than Jay R. Ferguson. Ferguson has a habit of playing the curmudgeonly love interests to strong-willed women, because his … Fans of the original Roseanne will remember Wellman Plastics was where … No-nonsense, but fair, Robin is a friend and mentor to Darlene (Sara Gilbert). Then, in typical TV fashion, Chicago Med ramped up the drama a little by giving Robin Charles benign mediastinal teratoma. They were little shifts in dialogue and temperature. “One of the things I love about Robin is she’s flawed, she’s fallible, she’s got a temper,” Billings tells ET about her character, who clashes with Becky over her continued tardiness at work. Fans of the original Roseanne will remember Wellman Plastics was where both Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) and sister Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) worked in the early days of the series. Their whole lives Becky and Darlene have been at odds with each other because they are night and day. Trans actress Alexandra Billings (Transparent) has been announced to join the cast of ABC’s The Connors for a multi-episode arc in the current season. While the episode is meant to be the big moment of her arc on the show, Billings says that she’s since been asked back to do more episodes, with Robin now part of the fabric of the show. The Conners Season 3 Episode 5, “Friends in High Places and Horse Surgery,” is a really great example of when family and work coming together can cause irreparable damage. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. All of my husbands have known, my friends know, my family knows. "The Conners" and the meaning of seeing Alexandra Billings be an average middle manager In the third season of ABC's comedy, Becky and Darlene's boss Robin … Billings plays Robin, a … – as they face financial pressures, parenthood, dating, and life as working-class Americans.