More than 40 years after Alien hit cinemas a new generation of fans are discovering the futuristic film was more trans inclusive than they realised.

Ridley Scott’s 1979 space-bound slasher has achieved cult status for its genre-defining visual effects, depth of characters and stunning sci-fi realism – but trans reputation doesn’t often come to mind.

Yet if you look beyond Sigourney Weaver ’s iconic performance as Ellen Ripley you’ll find a subtle detail that many viewers missed.

Among the small crew of the Nostromo is navigator Joan Lambert, a brilliant bag of nerves played by actor Veronica Cartwright. By the end of the film she and Ripley are the ones remaining aboard the doomed ship, left alone to battle it out against the Xenomorph.

Lambert was ultimately killed by the Alien while

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