‘The Umbrella Academy’: Will Elliot Page’s Character Vanya Hargreeves Change in Season 3?
Juno star Elliot Page often plays characters who are a critical piece of the shows and movies that they’re in. Page’s latest big role is in Netflix‘s blockbuster superhero series The Umbrella Academy, which is gearing up for its third season.
Elliot Page is celebrating his new identity
In an announcement on social media, Page announced his identity as a trans man, as well as his name and pronouns. “I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey,” Page said. “I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self.”
While it should be a celebratory moment for Page, he also took a moment to acknowledge the hatred and violence that the trans community faces, specifically Black and Latinx trans women. “My joy is real, but it is also fragile,” Page said honestly. “The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared. I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence.”
“I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive,” Page concluded.
Netflix is supportive of Elliot Page
Netflix was quick to express their support of The Umbrella Academy actor. In response to Page’s announcement on Twitter, Netflix’s official account replied “So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can’t wait to see you return in season 3!”
Netflix has also acted swiftly to make sure Page’s acting credits on the platform reflect his true identity. The streaming giant removed all traces of Page’s deadname and updated all of the productions he appears in — such as Tales of the City, Something in the Water, and Tallulah — with the name Elliot.
Will Vanya Hargreeves be in season 3 of ‘The Umbrella Academy’?
Netflix confirmed in their support of Page that he will be returning for season 3 of The Umbrella Academy, which has had a delay in filming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But fans are curious as to how the superhero show will change Page’s character Vanya Hargreeves, or if Page will play the character differently.
Netflix insiders told Variety that there are no plans to change Vanya’s gender on the show. But given that Vanya is an Eastern European name that is used by both men and women, the door remains open for Page’s character to follow in the actor’s real-life footsteps.
If this storyline actually happened, however, Vanya Hargreeves wouldn’t be the first trans superhero. Artist and activist Chella Man made history in 2019 as the first transmasculine actor to play a superhero with his role as Jericho in DC Comics’ Titans series.
In early 2020, Marvel announced it was incorporating its first trans superhero into its comics with Sera the shapeshifter. And in 2018, Nicole Maines brought Nia Nal, the first trans superhero portrayed on-screen, to life on The CW show Supergirl.
