Brian Michael Smith

Biography

Brian Michael Smith (born January 29, 1983) is an American actor known for ground-breaking performances on television and advocacy for trans representation in media. His role as Toine Wilkins, a transgender police officer, in Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar (OWN), launched him into a series of high-profile roles including political strategist Pierce Williams in Showtime's The L Word: Generation Q (2019) cast. Smith became the first out black trans man in a series regular role on network television when he was cast as firefighter Paul Strickland in FOX's 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020). Other appearances include NBC's Chicago P.D., HBO's Girls, and Showtime's thriller Homeland.

Known For

Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone

Disclosure

Acting

2020

Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone

as

Self

2025

I Wish You All the Best

as

Chris

2019

Tell-By Date

as

Ryan

2020

Disclosure

as

Self - Actor

2015

Tracers

as

Security Guard #1

2025

Deep Dish Dimples

as

2015

White Privilege Frankenstein

as

Darrell

Person of Interest

as

Patrolman

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as

Conelectric Worker

9-1-1: Lone Star

as

Paul Strickland

The L Word: Generation Q

as

Pierce Williams

After

as

Jeremy Washington

King of Drag

as

Guest Judge

Homeland

as

EMT Nate

Production

2023

The Villains Code

as

2025

The Unburdened

as

Crew

Directing