Hollyoaks star becomes first trans actress to receive BAFTA nomination

Annie Wallace plays trans headteacher Sally St Clair on the Channel 4 show.

Hollyoaks actress Annie Wallace has become the first transgender actress to receive BAFTA recognition.

This is the second time that the actress – who plays headteacher Sally St Claire – has made history on the show, after becoming the first trans actress to play a trans character last year.

Wallace – who was also the inspiration for trans character Hayley Cropper on Coronation Street – is nominated in the Best Actress category at the Scottish BAFTAS.

The actress says she is “delighted and overwhelmed… proud and grateful” by her nomination.

Director of BAFTA Scotland Jude MacLaverty added: “It’s great. I don’t watch Hollyoaks on a regular basis but I’m delighted.

“It’s brilliant, a completely great, diverse list.”

Wallace will compete against fellow Scottish stars Ashely Jensen (Catastrophe) and Caitriona Balfe (Outlander).

It was revealed last year that Wallace was joining the cast of Channel 4’s teen soap as a trans teacher, shortly after EastEnders made a similar appointment.

Wallace tweeted at the time: “Yes, it’s out. I’m joining Hollyoaks this month!”

It came after Paris Lees broke the news, writing in the Guardian: “Hollyoaks is set to introduce its first continuing transgender character later this month, a teacher, played by Annie Wallace.

“Wallace, too, is trans, although Hollyoaks – which quietly had Rebecca Root on the show in a non-trans role earlier this year – isn’t making a song and dance about it.

“Wallace has been acting on British television for the past five years in what we call ‘stealth’ – keeping your mouth shut about your transition. She felt she had to. In 2015 she’s changed her mind.”

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