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.

Filmography

• 2025Deep Dish Dimples
• 2025I Wish You All the Best — Chris
• King of Drag — Guest Judge
• 2025The Unburdened — Executive Producer
• 2023The Villains Code — Executive Producer
• After — Jeremy Washington
• 9-1-1: Lone Star — Paul Strickland
• 2019Tell-By Date — Ryan
• The L Word: Generation Q — Pierce Williams
• 2015Tracers — Security Guard #1
• 2015White Privilege Frankenstein — Darrell
• Homeland — EMT Nate
• Person of Interest — Patrolman
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — Conelectric Worker

Appearances as themselves (2)

• 2020Disclosure — Self - Actor
• 2020Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone — Self