‘Glee’: Coach Beiste’s Transformation
Glee never has shied away from subjects which many other shows would consider too taboo to touch.
On the Feb. 6 episode of the sixth (and final) season, Coach Beiste will debut his new look as a man.
Along with Coach’s big reveal, the episode, titled “What the World Needs Now,” will also feature Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) attempting to try some convincing on their family. Also, returning to the series, Mercedes (Amber Riley) has come back to Lima to sway Rachel (Lea Michele) to once again pursue her dreams of being on Broadway.
Coach Beiste Becomes A Man: See The Photo Here
People has revealed the photo of Beiste’s new identity, and it may surprise some fans. In fact the storyline even surprised Dot.
Though series creator Ryan Murphy had warned her that he had big plans for her character, Dot “got the script and read it and it’s not what I expected,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. However, despite being caught off guard, Dot is grateful to Fox for putting this story on the air.
“Like it or not, it’s real life,” she said. “I think Fox is amazing for putting this on broadcast television… Of any show on broadcast, it should be a Fox show because they are the risk takers. I don’t think even taking a risk is the right word. It’s just real.”
While Coach Beiste’s transgender journey is the latest Glee storyline which may be considered controversial, it certainly isn’t the series’ first. Though gay characters on TV have amazingly become somewhat common– even on network TV– that wasn’t necessarily the case when Glee premiered back in 2009. Because of its progressivism, the series has been nominated for five GLAAD Awards in recognition of the diversity it depicts.
What do you think of Glee doing a transgender storyline?
— Casey Mink
Follow @Casey_Mink