Who plays Matty Barton in Emmerdale? Meet Ash Palmisciano the first transgender character on the ITV soap

ACTOR Ash Palmisciano made history on Emmerdale as their first ever transgender character.

Playing Matty Barton, the TV star is now central to some ITV soap’s biggest storylines.

ITV

Who is Ash Palmisciano?

Born on January 3, 1990, Ash Palmisciano is an English actor.

He came out as transgender in 2012 and later became the first trans actor to appear on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 2016, Ash made his television debut in the BBC Two sitcom Boy Meets Girl.

He then began working with the charity Diversity Role Models, where he would visit schools across the UK to talk about his experiences as a trans man.

Ash described the work as the “most terrifying” thing he had done, but “wished” that he had heard the same talk as a child.

In 2018, he wrote and directed a short film, The Lady That Dances, which was broadcast on Channel 4.

Talking about his transition, Ash told : “Growing up I’d come to the conclusion that I might be transgender, but the fear of telling anyone had become so huge that it didn’t seem like a possibility.

“So I kept it to myself and carried on playing the part of a girl, as I didn’t want to be different or seen as a weirdo.

“Although, as discovered, keeping things hidden will always find a way to rise to the surface and in 2012 I had no choice but to open up to my family.”

He went on: “I grew up in a lovely family, who had fun Christmases, nice summer holidays and I was always surrounded by love but to say this news came as a bit of a shock is an understatement.

“We didn’t know anything about what it meant it to be transgender.

“My parents were confused, scared for my future and unsure how to support me.

“It wasn’t easy by any means but we stuck together as a family through love, and all ventured into the unknown together.”

Who does Ash Palmisciano play in Emmerdale?

Ash plays Matty Barton in Emmerdale, who is the son of Moira Barton (Natalie Joy Robb).

Before landing the role, he was hired by the ITV soap to work as a story consultant for a trans plot.

Matty’s a ground breaking character to play and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for him.

Ash Palmisciano

After impressing producers, he was cast on the soap.

His character Matty became the first trans character on Emmerdale.

ITV

Ash wowed viewers so much, that he won the Best Newcomer gong at the Inside Soap Awards.

When he joined the soap in 2018, the actor said at the time: “I’m very excited to be joining the very welcoming Emmerdale family.

“From nervous auditions to now working alongside the team daily has been truly amazing.

“Matty’s a ground breaking character to play and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for him.”

He also wrote on Instagram: “I’ve been a peasant, an elf, flipping king lears tree 😉 and now I’m chuffed to finally announce to me mates I’m now matty barton… the newest addition to the lovely Emmerdale family 🙂 #emmerdale #mattybarton #actor.”

Since joining the soap, Matty has been involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines.

In June 2024, the character found himself in hot water after Sam Dingle was stabbed.

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How to watch Emmerdale

Emmerdale airs every week day at 7.30pm on ITV.

Each episode lasts for half and hour and can be watched Monday to Friday.

But if you miss any episodes you can catch up with them on the streaming service ITVX.