Laverne Cox thinks Orange Is the New Black has helped to change the "narrative with and about trans people"

She told Extra: "When Orange happened, I was in such bliss because I just loved telling the story. I had never seen anything on TV like that before.

"I also knew that if I was going to have the mainstream career no other trans person has had ... We needed to change the narrative with and about trans people."

Asked what has impressed her the most about her own life journey, Laverne replied: "That I'm still here ... For me, it's about the lessons that I've learned."

Laverne previously argued that being a black transgender woman has limited her opportunities as an actress.

The Orange Is The New Black star believes she's been overlooked for certain roles because of her profile - but Laverne thinks the landscape is improving and she still considers herself to be "blessed".

She said: "Two years ago ... I was in the waiting room with actresses who were like, 'Oh my God, this is my fourth audition today.'

"And I was like, 'Oh, I've never auditioned that much.' There have never been that many parts as a black, openly transgender woman.

"Because I am who I am, there probably have been fewer opportunities for me to work. I feel like we've made the very most of what we have been given ... I feel very blessed now."

However, Laverne is now determined to make the most of her platform by campaigning for certain demographics to be better represented in Hollywood.

She explained: "Certainly there are fewer opportunities for someone like me being black and being trans and being a woman. In the face of that, it's not bad.

"The truth is I'm one of the lucky ones. The question for me becomes ... as I produce, how to bring other people along for the ride."