Nicole Maines is an American actress, writer, and advocate best known for playing Nia Nal, also known as Dreamer, in the television series Supergirl.
The role made television history, but Nicole's story had already reached national attention years before she stepped onto a superhero set.
Standing Up at a Young Age
Before becoming an actress, Nicole and her family were involved in an important legal case after her school denied her access to the girls' restroom.
The case reached Maine's highest court, which ruled in 2014 that the school district had violated the state's Human Rights Act. Nicole later carried that confidence into acting and public speaking.
Becoming Dreamer
Nicole's career reached a new level when she joined Supergirl as reporter Nia Nal, who eventually becomes the superhero Dreamer. Nicole became the first transgender performer to portray a transgender superhero on television.
Her connection with Dreamer continued after the television series. Nicole began writing for DC Comics and helped bring the character into comic books, including the graphic novel Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story.
A Story That Keeps Growing
Nicole has continued working as both an actress and writer, with roles including Yellowjackets while expanding her work in comics.
Her journey has taken her from standing up for herself as a young student to portraying a superhero and eventually writing that superhero's adventures. It is a career that continues to grow in unexpected and creative directions.