Emmerdale star opens up on ‘UK soap first’ and says ‘it’s a real privilege’

Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano has opened up about latest "challenging" storyline as Matty Barton.

The actor joined the soap back in 2018 and the character, who was orginally named Hannah Barton before they transitioned away from the village, has been at the centre of some huge plots over the past six years.

In upcoming scenes, Matty is slightly more hopeful having established that Les, his cellmate, has accepted him as a trans man and is happy to relay this to Amy when she visits.

He's also delighted to hear they have a new solicitor and is left hopeful he could be out of prison soon. As visiting time ends, Amy’s glad Matty is more positive.

However, as she watches Matty go, Amy is approached by Robbo, who she mistakes for Les. Unfortunately Robbo’s sympathetic front gets the truth about Matty from Amy, who is oblivious to the danger she has now put her husband in.

Opening up about the gripping storyline, Ash told the press: "There's crazy levels of anxiety and to put myself in those situations was obviously challenging but it's been really fun as an actor to do aswell.

"It feels a real first to be honest. I don't think we've ever seen this on a UK soap before, and I think little representation on UK TV if any, so it feels a real privilege from an actor's point of view to be able to tell a story that's kind of untold because we don't know that world or what it looks like so that's been really great.

"Also, I've spoken personally about what it means for me to play a trans character let alone deal with such a major, difficult story. It feels really great to recycle maybe my own instinct feelings into something people can really get behind and It feels fantastic to be able to play this role."

"It would have been a story as a kid I would have been interested in watching and seeing what it was like. As an actor, who happens to be trans, I can imagine those feelings maybe in certain situations but I have no idea what it's like to be in prison so we were able to work with two fanatic guys, one who transitioned from female to male while working in a prison."

Next week, Matty returns to his cell as Les leaves to see his solicitor, once he’s gone, transphobic prisoner Robbo arrives into the cramped cell, and Matty’s blood runs cold to discover this thug has spoken to his wife.

Ash added: "There were challenging situations in there and really horrific attitudes and things towards Matty that were great to film but also scary.

"I had to make sure I was unwinding at the end of the day and putting some nice TV on to cheer myself up and get myself out of that head space.

"I love a bit of trash TV at the moment so I've been watching all sorts of things like Love Island and some good Netflix series and dramas. My girlfriend has got me into Bridgerton which is million miles away from prison." Fans will have to wait and see if Matty gets out of prison in one piece.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm