Anna Paquin on the authentic human drama of Bellevue

CBC's latest drama, Bellevue, follows the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a transgender teen. 

It's a story that one of its stars, Anna Paquin, says was important to tell. Paquin says that diversity and representation in stories is important and "being so careful that you don't even attempt to tell these stories is part of the problem with people not actually having any understanding of people who live different lives from them." 

The teenager on Bellevue is transgender and, as Paquin points out, helped shape the role and give insight to her character. "She helped round that character out in a way that was authentic."

"In the end, it's a human drama," she adds. "Ultimately, it becomes the exploration of these people, their choices and their relationships and how the actions that they take have consequences over many, many years."

Bellevue premieres Monday, Feb. 20, at 9:00 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. NT).

— Produced by Sarah Grant