Actor Ash Palmisciano has said that he had to think about taking on the role of Emmerdale’s Matty Barton, who is the ITV soap’s first regular transgender character
Emmerdale’s Ash Palmisciano has admitted he had to “really think” about taking on his role in the ITV soap.
The actor – who came out as transgender in 2012 – joined the soap in 2018, after first working with Emmerdale as a consultant on a trans plot. He plays the character Matty Barton, who used to be known as Hannah.
During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, Ash revealed he had dreamed of being an actor but still had to give it some serious thought when he was offered the part in the programme.
Talking about what it was like to be trans, he said: “It’s really tough right now. This is why I wanted to do the role. When it came up I had to really think about it Lorraine, because I was like, I am going to be putting myself out there massively.”
The star, who is 34, went on: “And you know, I lived in a lovely little bubble. I didn’t have to talk about being trans every day, really supportive family.
“So when I chose to do this role I thought, ‘What an amazing opportunity, obviously dream job, but also to be able to help break down… what it is to be trans.’
“Because you know, essentially trans people are just like everyone else… So for me to be able to be that image and a reference point for someone, perhaps transitioning younger at school, or even an older person to be able to sort of speak to their family member that’s trans.”
Ash said to be able to help in that way was “a dream come true”. “And I really hope that it makes a difference,” he added.
He told host Lorraine Kelly: “For me it was like a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to sort of transform something that was a struggle in my life, to sort of transform it into something that could really help to break down the barrier of what it means to be trans and just have a human story.”
