Emmerdale’s Matty takes a courageous step by revealing his transgender identity to a fellow inmate. Kudos to Ash Palmisciano for his compelling portrayal of Matty Barton, whose palpable fear and anxiety as a transgender man in an all-male prison have made for a gripping and eye-opening watch. Matty, an innocent man, has been navigating life behind dangerous bars with extreme caution, sleeping with one eye open, avoiding the showers, and refusing his medication to prevent anyone from discovering his true identity.

Despite his determination to keep his secret, Matty decides to take a leap of faith and confides in his new cellmate, Les. Initially, Les terrified Matty with taunts and displays of dominance, but their relationship has since evolved. However, Matty faces another bully in the form of Robo, who senses something amiss about Matty and intimidates him to uncover the truth. When Robo’s harassment intensifies, Les intervenes, temporarily backing Robo off. Yet, Matty remains fearful, knowing Robo won’t give up easily, especially now that Les seems to be protecting him.

Les takes Matty under his wing, offering guidance on how to survive in prison. This unexpected kindness breaks down Matty’s defenses, leading him to ask Les how he is perceived by others. Encouraged by Les’s advice, Matty experiences some success and ultimately decides to reveal the full truth about his identity. Les is surprised and questions Matty’s choice to be in a male prison, issuing a stark warning about the risks he faces. Although Les promises to keep Matty’s secret, he cautions that others might not, leaving Matty vulnerable. The big question remains: Can Les be trusted, or will he endanger Matty by sharing his secret?

Stay tuned to see how this emotional and high-stakes storyline unfolds on Emmerdale.