"I've had really good experiences with my career so far," he said. "I started training professionally about six years ago, really learning the craft and being really dedicated to making a profession out of my desire to act, and I feel like this is one of the first roles that is really hitting my interests as an artist and as a person."

As you can imagine, Twitter reacted swiftly, but most of it was positive; you know, how it should be.

“Visibility is so important,” one user wrote. “Queen sugar has a canonically trans character played by an actual trans person,” another remarked, appreciating the fact that a trans actor was playing the role of a trans person.

We applaud Smith for his bravery and talent! Check out the coming out scene and reaction to the news that Brian Smith is transgender below.

Part of what Brian Michael Smith said about being trans & portraying a trans character on #QueenSugar last episode. That scene = incredible. pic.twitter.com/VkNtNNAGco

— Cinemacked (@Cinemacked) July 16, 2017

Visibility is so important.

'Queen Sugar' actor Brian Michael Smith comes out as transgender https://t.co/GwOGgDpcFE via @nbcnews

— Casey Parris-Daley (@MyDaleyVibes) July 17, 2017

.@ava is everything! Hiring trans people as trans! Goodness, this is beautiful. 💞😘 https://t.co/uFCmwI7OkW #QueenSugar

— PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) July 17, 2017

Scene btwn Toine and Ralph Angel was just "wow." TY for introducing us to this amazing actor and character. @ava #QueenSugar

— Victoria Wilson (@Vdubu) July 17, 2017

I can only hope that as many of my family, friends and colleagues are experiencing the excellence, grace and beauty that is @QueenSugarOWN

— Fabian Thomas (@fabianmthomas) July 17, 2017

queen sugar has a cannonically trans character played by an actual trans person pic.twitter.com/1VYbirO9Td

— ale (@isakteriyaki) July 17, 2017

Oh shit #queensugar discussing Trans issues? Lord @ava is too good for this world!

— Meesh (@MeeshLifts) July 16, 2017

Queen Sugar legit just had a black trans male actor play a black trans man in the show. Like, that's amazing #QueenSugar #avaduvernay

— Cinnamon Spice (@Joonae_93) July 16, 2017

Thank you for talking about Trans importance #QueenSugar @ava pic.twitter.com/lZ24r8htmp

— Gazorpazorpfield (@g2karig2) July 13, 2017