Pose spoilers follow.
Pose season 3 introduces an "extremely important" storyline for Mj Rodriguez's character Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista.
Opening up in her exclusive interview with Digital Spy, the American actress suggested that Blanca's journey down the road of romance was something that the US drama needed.
Related: Pose star Mj Rodriguez responds to talk of a House of Abundance spin-off
"I think the storyline with Blanca having a partner, having a love interest, was extremely important because she had struggled so hard to find her footing on how men were going to love her and how they were going to treat her, with knowing that she was trans, and also how they were going to deal with that when they brought it to people that they loved as well," she told us.
"And with the third season addressing that, I think it's needed."
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Rodriguez, who also appeared in Marvel's Luke Cage back in 2016, continued to explain: "A lot of women in the trans community, they don't feel comfortable when they're going to a meet-and-greet with the parents.
"Especially if they are dealing with passability politics and they fit into this vernacular or this description of how a woman is supposed to look, but then there's a truth that is revealed about them and then the whole thing changes.
Related: Steven Canals knows you don't want Pose to end
"There's so much that goes into that, there's so many layers that you have to break off in that, and Pose did that when they showed this story and what can happen. And also, how it feels for someone to stand up for you when they love you, regardless..."
According to the TV star, Blanca's continual role as a "beacon for others" had to dissolve somewhat.
"You know, Blanca has fought so hard for herself. She has also been a beacon for others... And I think at this point in time, Blanca needed someone there for her and to feel that someone was there for her, and that they were going to look out for her," she added.
"So I think it was great to see that dynamic, and also see how strong she is within that dynamic too. She stood up, and she fought for herself and also the love of her life. I thought it was great."
Pose season 3 airs on FX in the US. A UK air date has not yet been confirmed.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
