Riley Carter Millington, 21, will be joining the cast of EastEnders as Kyle, a transgender character.
Amazingly, Riley’s casting is the first time ever that a UK television soap opera has ever had a transgender actor playing a transgender character in a continuing role.
Trust EastEnders to show us the way, eh?
As Dominic Treadwell-Collins (aka the big boss at the BBC One soap) put it: “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.”
EastEnders is Riley’s first television role, and he will be making his first appearance as Kyle will be on screen in October 2015.
But, just like many of his fellow Albert Square residents, Kyle has a VERY mysterious past - and little will be known about his character for quite some time.
Speaking of joining the soap, 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 Treadwell- Collins added: “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.”
Are you as excited as we are to see Kyle in Walford?
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