EastEnders Make UK Soap History As They Cast First Transgender Actor To Play A Transgender Character
Grab your celebratory snacks and get ready to quite possibly weep with joy (maybe just us but we wanted to warn you), because EastEnders have cast the first ever transgender actor in UK soap history. HURRAH!
Riley Carter Millington will arrive on Albert Square this month as Kyle, who, like Riley, has transitioned from female to male.
Copyright [BBC/EastEnders]
He’ll then be back on the Square permanently at the end of this year, making him the first transgender actor to play a transgender character in a UK soap. YAAAS!
Executive Producer of EastEnders, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, announced that he was creating a transgender character for the soap earlier this year and was determined to find a transgender actor to fill the role.
Working alongside groups in the transgender community, the soap then undertook workshops to find the right person for the job - ENTER RILEY, in his first television role.
Copyright [Giphy]
Explaining just how thrilled he is about joining the ranks, Riley said: “I am extremely excited to be joining EastEnders.
“I can honestly say that I have now fulfilled my two biggest dreams – to be living my life as a man and to be an actor. I cannot wait to really get stuck in with filming and I look forward to seeing what is in store for my character.”
Dominic added: “From Mark Fowler’s HIV to Colin and Barry’s first gay kiss, EastEnders has always led the way in changing audience’s perceptions about ‘difference’ – and ultimately making the world a better place. It has been my intention for a long time to cast a trans actor playing a trans role – and we have been so careful to ensure that we cast the right actor for the part.
“I’ve sat in many acting workshops over the years with our Casting Executive Julia Crampsie and her team – but never have we been so moved by the incredible life stories and wealth of talent that we experienced over our several weeks of workshops with transgender actors.
Copyright [BBC]
“The people we met showed us a strength and bravery that took our breath away – and to go through as much as they have while maintaining humour and a positive view on the world is testament to what special people we met.
“In Riley, we have found not just a talented actor but also an inspirational young man whose warmth immediately comes through the screen. And this isn’t about tokenism. Alex Lamb and his story team have worked with Riley to create an EastEnders character who is fresh and relatable – but also comes with his own stock of secrets and is going to be thrown right into one of our biggest stories for the end of the year.
“I hope that the audience will take Riley and his character to their hearts as quickly as everyone here at EastEnders has done.”
Copyright [ITV]
Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper and Hollyoaks’ Blessing Chambers were transgender characters, but neither were played by transgender actors.
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK to you, Riley, on your new role - We cannot WAIT to see what happens!
