Lux Pascal’s Netflix Drama Sparks Heated Debate Online

Pedro Pascal’s younger sister, Lux Pascal, steps into the spotlight as she portrays Carlita Antonella Rodríguez, a real-life trans woman, in the upcoming film Queen of Coal. This Spanish-Argentine production, already shown in cinemas across both countries, is set to reach a global audience on Netflix from 19 December. Directed by Agustina Macri, the story centres on Carlita’s determination to work in the coal mines of Patagonia—a job traditionally reserved for men. The real Carlita became the first trans miner in the region, challenging long-held superstitions about women bringing bad luck underground.

Backlash and Divided Opinions

The film’s subject matter has already drawn a fair bit of criticism online. Some punters have taken aim at both Lux Pascal and Netflix for what they see as pushing LGBTQ+ themes. Comments have ranged from outright rejection to disbelief at the premise itself. One user posted,

This is an actual show coming out on Netflix soon: "Queen of Coal." "A trans woman dreams of working the coal mines — but in a town steeped in superstition and patriarchy, Carlita must fight to earn her place underground."

Another simply said,

NO THANK YOU!! I cancelled Netflix years ago anyway.

Others questioned the believability of the story, with one remarking,

Not believable. Who, the fuck, "dreams of working in the coal mines"? I write books about magic and super soldier and wouldn't use a premise that unlikely.

There were also those who were quick to dismiss the film entirely:

I totally can't wait to never watch this.

and

Queen of Coal. Another banger from Netflix!!! Who green lights this stuff?

Support and Representation

Despite the backlash, the film has received strong support from LGBTQ+ advocates. Many have praised the story for its representation, with one social media user stating,

Representation matters. Carlita’s story is a reminder that trans people belong everywhere – including spaces society has long tried to exclude them from.

Queen of Coal first premiered in Spain on 12 June 2025, followed by a release in Argentina on 2 October 2025.

Lux Pascal: From Stage to Screen

Lux Pascal, who is 17 years younger than her well-known brother Pedro, was born Lucas Balmaceda in California before moving to Chile at age three. She came out as a trans woman in 2021, adopting the name Lux Balmaceda Pascal. After graduating from Juilliard in 2023, she pursued acting, starting with theatre before moving into Spanish-language television and film. Her early roles included the series Los 80 and the soap Juana Brava, with her film debut arriving in 2016. She’s perhaps best known for appearing alongside Pedro in Narcos, playing Elijah.

Lux has spoken openly about her transition, expressing gratitude for the support she received from her brother. Pedro Pascal has publicly shown his pride, once sharing, “Mi hermana, mi corazón, nuestra Lux,” or “My sister, my heart, our Lux.”

Comparisons to Emilia Pérez

Queen of Coal isn’t the first film with a trans lead to face controversy. Emilia Pérez, starring Karla Sofía Gascón as a cartel boss seeking gender-affirming surgery, also drew criticism. The film’s Oscar run was overshadowed by backlash over Gascón’s past social media posts, which included offensive remarks on a range of topics. Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto also called out the film for its lack of cultural accuracy, saying,

Why not hire a Mexican production designer, costume designer, or at least some consultants?… It was just the details for me. You would never have a jail sign that read ‘Cárcel’ it would be ‘Penitenciaria’. It’s just the details, and that shows me that nobody that knew was involved.

Director Jacques Audiard admitted the film didn’t delve deeply into Mexican culture. Many are now watching to see if Queen of Coal avoids similar pitfalls.

Queen of Coal will be available to stream on Netflix from 19 December 2025.