Mj Rodriguez has busted through a tough barrier as the first transgender performer nominated for an Emmy in a lead acting category. Now that she’s wrapped up her successful run in the hit FX show “Pose,” will there be more great mainstream opportunities for trans performers in the future?

“Pose” took us into New York’s LGBTQ ballroom scene amid the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and early ‘90s, and Rodriguez brought it all together as Blanca, the mother of the House of Evangelista. Regardless of whether she wins the Emmy next month for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, she’s already made history.

Today, Rodriguez talks about her background as a musical theater performer and Berklee-educated songwriter, the night she learned that the part of Blanca was hers and how she feels the doors are opening up for trans performers. Plus we’ve got a clip of her new single.

More reading:

How Mj Rodriguez and Billy Porter are saying goodbye to ‘Pose’

‘Pose’ cast celebrates Mj Rodriguez’s historic Emmy nomination: ‘About mf’n time’

Queer actors are finally playing queer roles. Next up? More chances to play it straight

Hannah Waddingham discusses her Emmy-nominated performance in “Ted Lasso,” the feel-good Apple TV+ comedy series that centers on the upbeat American coach of an English soccer team. Waddingham plays the coach’s initially vindictive and cynical boss, Rebecca. 

She also talks about her turn as the “Game of Thrones” nun who infamously yelled “Shame! Shame!” at Cersei Lannister, recounts how doors have opened for her during her career and reflects on her childhood as the daughter and granddaughter of opera singers.

More reading:

Those biscuits in ‘Ted Lasso’ look delish. Not so much, says Hannah Waddingham

‘Ted Lasso’s’ Christmas episode wasn’t part of the plan. Here’s how they pulled it off

‘Ted Lasso’ isn’t just a TV show. It’s a vibe

Photo courtesy of Apple TV+

Chances are, you already know the names of Emmy favorites like “Ted Lasso” and “The Crown,” which are expected to rack up the statuettes when the TV academy hands out its annual awards next month. But you may not have had time to catch up on all of this year’s Emmy nominees just yet — and on this latest crossover between “The Envelope” and “The Times” podcasts, TV editor Matt Brennan and awards columnist Glenn Whipp reveal their favorite Emmy underdogs.

Photo courtesy of Des Willie/Netflix

He was a legendary lawyer. She’s a Real Housewife. Together, Tom and Erika Girardi made a striking couple. He funded their lavish lifestyle with multimillion-dollar settlements. She used that money to create a career as a pop singer named Erika Jayne. But did they break the law to build their dream life?In this crossover episode with our sister podcast “The Times,” we get into a story straight out of a reality TV plotline. (The couple’s unraveling and legal travails are, in fact, included in this season of Bravo TV’s “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”)

It’s way more than fluff: Tom Girardi was a big-deal attorney — one of his cases served as the basis for the Julia Roberts film “Erin Brockovich” — and he wielded substantial political clout. But a troubling side recently emerged: Clients, including widows and orphans, say they never received tens of millions of dollars his firm was supposed to pass along to them.We speak to the Los Angeles Times investigative reporters who are covering the Girardis’ downfall. And we talk to the Los Angeles Times television reporter about why the public just can’t turn away from this story.

More reading:
Vegas parties, celebrities and boozy lunches: How legal titan Tom Girardi seduced the State Bar
The legal titan and the ‘Real Housewife’: The rise and fall of Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne
‘Real Housewives’ attorney Tom Girardi used cash and clout to forge powerful political connections

Our guest is Janicza Bravo, director and co-writer of the new film “Zola.” Bravo talks about adapting the screenplay from a viral Twitter thread, trusting her instincts about casting, combining comedy and anxiety to push audience reactions, and how she became a go-to director for prestige TV series wanting to change-up their style.

For more exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for our Envelope newsletter. Guest photo courtesy of Nastassia Brückin.

Our guest is actor John Boyega, who recently played police officer Leroy Logan in “Red, White and Blue,” which is part of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology series. Boyega talks about his relationship with his dad, moving on from the "Star Wars" trilogy, using his platform to highlight social injustice and working in Hollywood. For more exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for our Envelope newsletter. Guest photo courtesy of Getty.

Our guest is actor Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne Bridgerton in the steamy Netflix Regency drama “Bridgerton.” Dynevor talks about the passionate fanbase behind the show, tips the intimacy coordinator shared on set and shooting kissing scenes in the rain with costar Regé-Jean Page. For more exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for our Envelope newsletter. Guest photo courtesy of Netflix.

Our guest is Barry Jenkins, the director and showrunner for "The Underground Railroad," which is based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. Jenkins talks about his artistic vision for the show, why he chose a television format over film, and what he learned from making "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk." For more exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for our Envelope newsletter. Guest photo courtesy of GL Askew II.

Our guest is actor Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Wanda Maximoff in "WandaVision." Olsen talks about the television sitcoms she watched while researching for the role and her approach to acting in the Marvel series. For more exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for our Envelope newsletter.

With the Oscars behind us, the 2021 Emmys season is kicking into gear. And we’re looking back at our favorite conversations with TV stars and directors this season, including Steve McQueen, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Anya Taylor-Joy and Josh O’Connor. For more exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for our Envelope newsletter.