Ash Palmisciano

Ash Palmisciano (born 3 January 1990) is an English actor. After being assigned female at birth, he came out as transgender in 2012 and later became the first trans actor to appear on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was later hired by the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale to work as a story consultant for a trans storyline, but after impressing producers, he was instead cast on the soap. His character, Matty Barton, became the first trans character on Emmerdale and he won the Best Newcomer accolade at the Inside Soap Awards for his portrayal of Matty.

Ash Palmisciano
Born (1990-01-03) 3 January 1990
Leamington Spa, West Midlands, England
EducationRoyal Central School of Speech and Drama
OccupationActor
Years active2016–present
TelevisionEmmerdale

Early life

Palmisciano was born on 3 January 1990 in Leamington Spa, West Midlands.[1][2] He was assigned female at birth and found growing up with gender dysphoria to be confusing. In a 2020 TED talk, he recalled his discomfort at having to use female changing rooms, as well as feeling forced to use pink items.[1] However, he always knew he wanted to be an actor. His school career advisor told him that aspiring to be an actor was unrealistic and he failed various drama school auditions, and alongside his struggles with gender dysphoria, he decided to take a break from acting.

Palmisciano came out to his family as transgender in 2012. He said that despite having a loving family, his coming out shocked them and his parents were unsure of how to support him due to their lack of knowledge about trans people.[3] Palmisciano's family helped him through his transition and he decided to get back into acting. He attended a summer acting school for trans people led by the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, which gave him the confidence to begin attending auditions for theatre and television work. He also played an elf during numerous Christmas seasons due to his short height.[3]

Career

In 2016, Palmisciano made his television debut in an episode of the BBC Two sitcom Boy Meets Girl.[4] He then began working with the charity Diversity Role Models, with whom he visited schools across the UK to talk about his experiences as a trans man. He described the work as the most terrifying thing he had done, but wished that he had heard the same talk as a child.[5] In 2018, he wrote and directed a short film, The Lady That Dances, which was broadcast on Channel 4. He then worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and was the first trans actor to appear on their stage.[1]

As he was considering applying for a factory job, trans media project All About Trans recommended Palmisciano to an Emmerdale workshop and he advised them on a trans storyline.[6] After he informed producers that he was an actor, he was asked to audition for the part of Matty Barton. The character, who was previously on the soap as Hannah (Grace Cassidy), was reintroduced as a trans man that had transitioned off-screen.[1] This marked the first trans character on Emmerdale, as well as Palmisciano being the first trans actor on the soap.[7] Palmisciano was originally contracted on Emmerdale for a three-month-long stint, but it was soon renewed and he has remained on the soap since.[8] At the 2018 Inside Soap Awards, he won the accolade for Best Newcomer.[9] In 2023, he became a judge on the National Diversity Awards panel.[10]

Personal life

Palmisciano made his relationship with girlfriend Shea Rowan on New Year's Eve 2021.[11][12] Palmisciano's mother died aged 60 in 2022 due to complications from long-term rheumatoid arthritis.[13]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Boy Meets Girl Alex 1 episode [14]
2017 Mum Andrew Short film [15]
2018–present Emmerdale Matty Barton Regular role [16]
2020 Pop Stu Short film [15]

Stage
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2016 King Lear Knight/Beggar/Soldier Royal Shakespeare Company [15]
2017 Summer in London Jack Theatre Royal Stratford East [15]

Awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2018 Inside Soap Awards Best Newcomer Emmerdale Won [17]

References
  1. Mitchell, Hilary (5 February 2021). "Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano is providing vital trans representation on TV". PinkNews. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  2. "Pump Room Gardens postcards from home competition". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  3. "Ash Palmisciano: Being Trans in Britain Today". ITVX. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  4. Nickell, Amy (8 February 2021). "Everything you need to know about Ash Palmisciano the first transgender actor shaking up Emmerdale as Matty Barton". OK!. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  5. "Summer in London: interview with Ash Palmisciano". Gina Maya. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  6. Rodrigues, Charlotte (25 June 2019). "Emmerdale's Ash Palmisciano reveals he was told it was "unrealistic" to be an actor". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  7. Shaw, Megan (8 July 2022). "Emmerdale Matty Barton star Ash Palmisciano's life from sex change, character's birth name and tragic loss of mum". Leeds Live. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  8. Sansome, Jessica (17 December 2022). "Real life of ITV Emmerdale's Matty Barton actor Ash Palmisciano - transition, stunning partner and heartbreaking loss". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  9. Thalassites, Johnny (23 October 2018). "Inside Soap Awards 2018 winners: Results in full as Coronation Street and Emmerdale sweep the board". i. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  10. "Ash Palmisciano". National Diversity Awards. Retrieved 27 August 2023. NDA23 Judge
  11. Johns, Victoria (1 January 2022). "Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano goes public with new girlfriend as they ring in New Year". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  12. Leaver, Joe (17 December 2022). "Emmerdale Matty Barton star's life off screen from close family to supportive girlfriend". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  13. "Emmerdale's Ash Palmisciano shares heartbreak after death of his mum". Heart. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  14. "Episode 2". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  15. "Ash Palmisciano". Spotlight. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  16. Shepherd, Jack (7 June 2018). "Emmerdale casts first regular transgender character Matty Barton". The Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  17. Dainty, Sophie (22 October 2018). "Coronation Street triumphs at Inside Soap Awards 2018 with Best Soap prize". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
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