Part 4/9:
The star of the series, Alaqua Cox, who portrays Maya Lopez, is frequently lauded for breaking barriers. Yet, critical viewers have pointed out her lack of acting experience. Cox was cast primarily because she is indigenous, deaf, and an amputee — characteristics that made her a perfect symbolic fit but apparently not a trained performer. Her facial expressions are notably flat, with little to no emotional range, which detracts from her believability as an actress.
Cox’s background—working in an Amazon warehouse before landing this role—speaks to her inexperience. While her representation aspirations are commendable, her performance quality raises questions about whether the casting prioritized identity traits over acting ability.