Who Plays Matty in Emmerdale? Is Matty In Emmerdale Transgender in Real Life?
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Updated Jun 11, 2024
Who Plays Matty in Emmerdale?
Actor Ash Palmisciano became the first transgender character on the TV show Emmerdale. He plays the role of Matty Barton, and his character is now part of some of the biggest storylines on the soap. Palmisciano impressed producers during auditions and was chosen for the role. Matty's character is significant because he is the first transgender character on Emmerdale.
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Who is Ash Palmisciano?
Ash Palmisciano, an actor from England, revealed he was transgender in 2012. He made history by being the first transgender actor to perform at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Initially hired as a consultant for a transgender storyline on the ITV1 soap Emmerdale, Palmisciano ended up impressing producers and was given a role on the show instead. Playing the character Matty Barton, he became the first transgender character on Emmerdale. For his portrayal of Matty, Palmisciano received the Best Newcomer award at the Inside Soap Awards.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ash Palmisciano |
| Born | 3 January 1990 |
| Born Place | Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Age | 34 |
| Education | Royal Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Television | Emmerdale |
Ash Palmisciano Career
In 2016, Palmisciano appeared on TV for the first time in a BBC Two show called Boy Meets Girl. Later, he joined a charity called Diversity Role Models and went to schools all over the UK to share his experiences as a transgender man. He found it scary but wished he'd heard a similar talk when he was young. In 2018, he made a short film called The Lady That Dances, shown on Channel 4. He also worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, becoming the first transgender actor to perform on their stage.
Considering applying for a factory job, Palmisciano got recommended to an Emmerdale workshop by a transmedia project called All About Trans. He advised them on a trans storyline and later auditioned for a part in the show. The character, previously known as Hannah, was reintroduced as Matty Barton, a transgender man. This made Palmisciano the first transgender actor on Emmerdale and Matty the first trans character. Originally signed for three months, Palmisciano's contract got extended, and he's been on the show since. He won the Best Newcomer award at the 2018 Inside Soap Awards. In 2023, he became a judge for the National Diversity Awards.
Ash Palmisciano Early Life
Ash Palmisciano was born on January 3, 1990, in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. In a 2020 TED talk, he talked about feeling uncomfortable in female changing rooms and being pressured to use pink items due to gender dysphoria. Despite facing challenges, Palmisciano always dreamt of becoming an actor. His school advisor discouraged him, and he faced rejections from drama schools.
He took a break from acting but later came out as transgender to his family in 2012. Though his family struggled at first, they supported him through his transition. Palmisciano regained confidence through a summer acting school for transgender people and started auditioning for theater and TV roles. He also worked as an elf during the Christmas seasons because of his short height. Sadly, his mother passed away in 2022 from complications related to rheumatoid arthritis.
Ash Palmisciano Girlfriend
Ash is dating Shea Rowan, and they made their relationship public on Instagram on New Year's Eve in 2022. The details about his girlfriend is unknown as she is a private person.
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Ash Palmisciano Net Worth
Ash Palmisciano Net Worth is around $1 million. He earns income primarily through acting on television shows like Emmerdale and through various related opportunities such as public appearances, speaking engagements, and endorsements.
