Steven Canals and Mj Rodriguez Reflect on Momentous ‘Pose’ Series Finale Collaboration
Danielle Turchiano Senior Features Editor, TV“Pose” co-creator, showrunner and director Steven Canals knew from the beginning that his 1980s- and ’90s-set ballroom culture cable drama was going to rest firmly on the shoulders of Blanca Rodriguez (played by Michaela Jaé “Mj” Rodriguez), a young trans woman and house mother diagnosed with HIV early on in the series’ run. He also knew from the start that she would survive, while Pray Tell (Billy Porter), unfortunately, would not.But Rodriguez didn’t know how things would shake out for her character until they were well into filming the third and final season.