a thrilled karla mosley revealed that she was informed of her character's big secret shortly after christmas in 2014. "my first reaction was surprise" mosley said to "usa today" noting that "10 or 20 years ago, this is not a story we would be telling, and not in a way that's truthful and not sensational." mosley expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to portray such a storyline. as the story took shape, mosley did her own research by reading transgender activist janet mock's memoir and also going straight to those with firsthand experience; "i have a couple of friends who have transitioned" mosley revealed. the actress wanted to be as educated on the subject as possible so she could portray maya in the "most truthful and authentic way." during an interview with "on-air on-soaps", mosley admitted to being a bit more protective over story development because of the importance of the topic. "i have had to be more firm on things than i have been in the past, because you want to tell the story, and you want to tell it right" mosley stated. like many others, mosley herself questioned why the series didn't hire a transgender actress to portray maya. mosley concluded that having viewers come to know and love "or love to hate her" in the role helped because "there is another emotion that comes up for some viewers" who may be turned off by maya being transgender. "we are then forced to look at why?" while maya is the main focus of the story, "it's not just maya's story" karla mosley insisted. the story also examines the reactions of those maya has formed relationships with including rick, nicole and her ex-boyfriend carter walton (saint-victor), and later maya's own parents. "so even if people have trouble relating to what maya is going through, they might be able to see themselves in the reaction" of maya's loved ones. in june 2015, michael logan announced that veteran actors anna maria horsford and obba babatundé had been cast in the role of maya's estranged parents, vivienne and julius avant and who have come rescue nicole from maya's influence. the arrival of the avants makes way for viewers "see how maya became the woman she is today amidst many obstacles and prejudices." the reunion is the first time maya has contact with parents since before she her "surgical transition" from myron.