The first drag queen to ever appear on EastEnders as a regular character is scheduled to sashay onto Albert Square.
Fans have been given a sneak peek of Matthew Morrison’s character Tara Misu.
Matthew stated that it was an honor to “present the creative art of drag” to the residents of Walford and to “represent the LGBTQIA+ community”
“It is essential that people see themselves reflected on screen,” he added.
He has been cast as Felix Baker, the son of Mitch Baker’s estranged brother Avery.
‘Normalise queer community’
Lucas Young, a drag queen known as Ms. Classpergers who uses the pronouns she/they, believes it is significant that a show as popular as EastEnders is “brazenly addressing these issues”.
Lucas believes it could have a significant impact because, as children, they did not see much representation on television.
“Had I had that insight or opportunity at a younger age, I believe I could have created more. And wisdom is power.
“The only way to normalize drag and the queer community is to talk about it and make people aware of who we are,” says the East Midlands-based 23-year-old to Radio 1 Newsbeat.
People are “so afraid of difference and change,” according to Lucas, whose rainbow-dyed hairstyle elicits regular abuse.
They claim, however, that “EastEnders, which is a comfort show, can affect change.”
Lucas is “excited to see what conversations” the show will spark and if “people who don’t necessarily understand the community” will become more receptive as a result.
Matthew stated in a video posted to the show’s social media that he had never performed in drag before.
Lucas’s initial response to this was that it would be preferable to have a character who is already a seasoned drag queen.
Lucas adds, “However if a person can do it without a drag persona, I see no problem with it”.
“Drag is an expression of an inner part of ourselves that we do not ordinarily have the opportunity to reveal. As long as they do a good job, I have no problem with creating more drag queens”.
