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

The 53-year-old actress rose to prominence as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black, becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category, and Laverne feels very proud of the hit Netflix show.

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."