Trans filmmaker and writer Schoenbrun is gaining recognition for their work on the Netflix series "Black Hole," for which they have written two episodes and are slated to contribute six more. The adaptation is described by Schoenbrun as a loose and "warmer" reimagining of the original book, which they find at times "pretty despairing." The project is seen as a potential breakthrough for Schoenbrun’s career in mainstream entertainment, offering increased visibility and opportunities within an industry where trans creators remain significantly underrepresented.

Schoenbrun is already regarded as one of the most prominent trans filmmakers today. Their films "Glow" and "Camp Miasma" stand out as rare examples of trans-directed features that have received wide theatrical releases, with screenings in over 100 U.S. cinemas since "The Matrix Resurrections" made an impact several years ago. Despite ongoing challenges, Schoenbrun expresses cautious optimism about the future for trans artists in Hollywood, emphasizing that systemic change, while difficult, is not impossible.

They reject conventional measures of success that focus solely on assimilation or numerical representation within the industry. Instead, Schoenbrun views their creative work as inherently political, rooted in the lived experience of trans identity as a challenge to dominant cultural norms. “Transness is political. By living as a trans person, I am envisioning a world that is in opposition to the world the normative forces of power want to convince us is the only possible world,” they said. They caution that integration into existing power structures should not be assumed as progress; rather, their aim is to open new horizons—“portals”—through their storytelling.

Schoenbrun draws on a poignant line from the prologue of their book "Public Access Afterworld," which underscores the marginalization faced by people like them: “They don’t give people like us the Sunday night time slot on HBO. They put us in hospitals. They send us to hell.” This sentiment encapsulates the core of their artistic mission, which resists simply profiting from entrenched systems. Instead, financial success is viewed as a means toward broader goals that challenge assimilation and foster representation outside traditional frameworks.

With a narrative and visual approach that emphasizes screens as both barriers and gateways, Schoenbrun continues to push the boundaries of trans storytelling. Their work, including the recently published "Public Access Afterworld," reflects an ongoing commitment to expanding the possibilities for trans voices within and beyond mainstream media.