A former Salford City College student has made UK soap history after becoming the first transgender actor to be cast to play a transgender character. 21-year-old Riley Carter Millington, who studied A-Level Drama at Eccles Sixth Form Centre, has landed his dream job after being cast to play new character Kyle in EastEnders.
The former St Anthony’s RC High School pupil, who was born a girl, made his first appearance in the soap this month, and will return permanently at the end of the year.
Speaking about his amazing career move, 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.”
Mark Wilkinson, Academic Progress Manager at Eccles Sixth Form Centre, said: “Riley was an excellent student who obtained the highest grade in his year for his practical drama assessment, playing Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream. We are delighted to see him gain the success he deserves.”
EastEnders’ Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained: “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.
“In Riley, we have found not just a talented actor but also an inspirational young man whose warmth immediately comes through the screen. I hope that the audience will take Riley and his character to their hearts as quickly as everyone here at EastEnders has done.”
Riley’s character Kyle is reportedly due to be thrown right into the middle of one of Eastenders’ biggest stories for the end of the year.
