{{Short description|English actor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Use British English|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Ash Palmisciano | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|01|03|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]], England | occupation = Actor | television = ''[[Emmerdale]]'' | years_active = 2016–present | education = [[Royal Central School of Speech and Drama]] }}
'''Ash Palmisciano''' (born 3 January 1990) 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]]. 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 [[Transgender|trans]] character on ''Emmerdale'' and he won the Best Newcomer accolade at the [[Inside Soap Awards|''Inside Soap'' Awards]] for his portrayal of Matty.
==Early life== Palmisciano was born on 3 January 1990 in [[Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]].<ref name="Pink">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Hilary |title=Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano is providing vital trans representation on TV |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/02/05/emmerdale-transgender-actor-ash-palmisciano-matty-barton-trans/ |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[PinkNews]] |date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154816/https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/02/05/emmerdale-transgender-actor-ash-palmisciano-matty-barton-trans/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pump Room Gardens postcards from home competition |url=https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20320/pump_room_gardens/1609/pump_room_gardens_postcards_from_home_competition/2 |access-date=27 August 2023 |publisher=[[Warwick District|Warwick District Council]] |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004171733/https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20320/pump_room_gardens/1609/pump_room_gardens_postcards_from_home_competition/2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ash discussed gender dysphoria in a 2020 [[TED talk]], recalling discomfort using female changing rooms, and feeling forced to use pink items.<ref name="Pink" /> 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.<ref name="ITVX">{{cite news |title=Ash Palmisciano: Being Trans in Britain Today |url=https://www.itv.com/inclusion/articles/ash-palmisciano-being-trans-in-britain-today |access-date=27 August 2023 |publisher=[[ITVX]] |date=18 November 2022 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://www.itv.com/inclusion/articles/ash-palmisciano-being-trans-in-britain-today |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="ITVX" />
==Career== In 2016, Palmisciano made his television debut in an episode of the [[BBC Two]] sitcom ''[[Boy Meets Girl (2015 TV series)|Boy Meets Girl]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nickell |first1=Amy |title=Everything you need to know about Ash Palmisciano the first transgender actor shaking up Emmerdale as Matty Barton |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/emmerdale-matty-ash-palmisciano-23465163 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[OK!]] |date=8 February 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227100727/https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/emmerdale-matty-ash-palmisciano-23465163 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Summer">{{cite news |title=Summer in London: interview with Ash Palmisciano |url=https://www.ginamaya.co.uk/theatre/summer-in-love-interview-with-ash-palmisciano.html |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=Gina Maya |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://www.ginamaya.co.uk/theatre/summer-in-love-interview-with-ash-palmisciano.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Pink" />
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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodrigues |first1=Charlotte |title=Emmerdale's Ash Palmisciano reveals he was told it was "unrealistic" to be an actor |url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/emmerdales-ash-palmisciano-was-told-it-was-unrealistic-to-be-an-actor/ |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=Entertainment Daily |date=25 June 2019 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/emmerdales-ash-palmisciano-was-told-it-was-unrealistic-to-be-an-actor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Pink" /> This marked the first trans character on ''Emmerdale'', as well as Palmisciano being the first trans actor on the soap.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Megan |title=Emmerdale Matty Barton star Ash Palmisciano's life from sex change, character's birth name and tragic loss of mum |url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/emmerdale-matty-barton-star-ash-24414239 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[Leeds Live]] |date=8 July 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Real life of ITV Emmerdale's Matty Barton actor Ash Palmisciano - transition, stunning partner and heartbreaking loss |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/real-life-itv-emmerdales-matty-25767980 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=17 December 2022}}</ref> At the [[Inside Soap Awards#2018 winners|2018 ''Inside Soap'' Awards]], he won the accolade for Best Newcomer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thalassites |first1=Johnny |title=Inside Soap Awards 2018 winners: Results in full as Coronation Street and Emmerdale sweep the board |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/inside-soap-awards-2018-winners-results-list-coronation-street-eastenders-212450 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[i (newspaper)|i]] |date=23 October 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/inside-soap-awards-2018-winners-results-list-coronation-street-eastenders-212450 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, he became a judge on the [[National Diversity Awards]] panel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ash Palmisciano |url=https://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/ash-palmisciano/ |publisher=[[National Diversity Awards]] |access-date=27 August 2023 |quote=NDA23 Judge |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154818/https://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/ash-palmisciano/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Personal life== Palmisciano made his relationship with girlfriend Shea Rowan public on New Year's Eve 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johns |first1=Victoria |title=Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano goes public with new girlfriend as they ring in New Year |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/emmerdale-star-ash-palmisciano-goes-25831135 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=1 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Leaver |first1=Joe |title=Emmerdale Matty Barton star's life off screen from close family to supportive girlfriend |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/emmerdale-matty-barton-stars-life-28755346 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=17 December 2022}}</ref> Palmisciano's mother died aged 60 in 2022 due to complications from long-term [[rheumatoid arthritis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Emmerdale's Ash Palmisciano shares heartbreak after death of his mum |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/emmerdale/ash-palmisciano-death-mum/ |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[Heart (radio network)|Heart]] |date=23 May 2022 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/emmerdale/ash-palmisciano-death-mum/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2016 | ''[[Boy Meets Girl (2015 TV series)|Boy Meets Girl]]'' | Alex | 1 episode | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |title=Episode 2 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07kxh3r |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=27 August 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07kxh3r |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2017 | ''Mum'' | Andrew | Short film | align="center" | <ref name="Spotlight">{{cite web |title=Ash Palmisciano |url=https://www.spotlight.com/3417-8948-1755 |publisher=[[Spotlight (company)|Spotlight]] |access-date=27 August 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154818/https://www.spotlight.com/3417-8948-1755 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2018–present | ''[[Emmerdale]]'' | [[Matty Barton]] | Regular role | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Jack |title=Emmerdale casts first regular transgender character Matty Barton |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/emmerdale-transgender-character-matty-hannah-parton-soap-cast-a8387311.html |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827154817/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/emmerdale-transgender-character-matty-hannah-parton-soap-cast-a8387311.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2020 | ''Pop'' | Stu | Short film | align="center" | <ref name="Spotlight" /> |}
==Stage== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Venue ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2016 | ''[[King Lear]]'' | Knight/Beggar/Soldier | [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] | align="center" | <ref name="Spotlight" /> |- | 2017 | ''Summer in London'' | Jack | [[Theatre Royal Stratford East]] | align="center" | <ref name="Spotlight" /> |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Ceremony ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2018 | [[Inside Soap Awards#2018 winners|''Inside Soap'' Awards]] | Best Newcomer | ''Emmerdale'' | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=Coronation Street triumphs at Inside Soap Awards 2018 with Best Soap prize |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a868994/coronation-street-wins-big-inside-soap-awards-2018-winners-list/ |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=22 October 2018 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121155712/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a868994/coronation-street-wins-big-inside-soap-awards-2018-winners-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|8271144}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmisciano, Ash}} [[Category:1990 births]] [[Category:21st-century English male actors]] [[Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people]] [[Category:Male actors from Leamington Spa]] [[Category:English transgender men]] [[Category:English transgender actors]] [[Category:English male soap opera actors]] [[Category:English male television actors]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Transgender male actors]] [[Category:British LGBTQ male actors]]