Actor Jack Murphy made history yesterday by becoming the first trans character to appear in Fair City or any Irish soap opera.

Murphy joined the show yesterday as Ryan, a character who looks set to cause some controversy in Fair City‘s Carrigstown.

The actor took to Twitter to let people know that he was nervous, a little under the weather and that he hoped everyone enjoyed his first episode.

Nerves kicking in now! #faircity #jackmurphy pic.twitter.com/s26aeTH5BJ

— Jack Murphy (@jackshaunmurphy) September 24, 2017

After the show, Murphy tweeted: “Such a good first episode if I do say so myself.”

Such a good first episode if I do say so myself! Off to sleep now and in the morning I'm getting another tattoo added to my sleeve. Night ??

— Jack Murphy (@jackshaunmurphy) September 25, 2017

Education

The Dublin actor believes that recent social and legislative changes toward LGBT+ people are a step in the right direction, but that more needs to be done to educate people “about transgender”.

“The Marriage Equality was brilliant and so was the Gender Recognition Act. There is still a long way to go but it is to get people to understand and educate them about transgender,” Murphy said.

The actor had known that he was trans, although he admitted that he lacked the exact word to describe himself, reports Donegal Woman.

“I came out as trans when I was 19. There wasn’t really a moment when I started changing my clothes because I always wore boys’ clothes, but I suppose when I started testosterone my looks started to change.

“I was number 97 to get my gender changed on my passport and birth cert in Ireland which blew my mind, it was crazy. But transgender is still taboo to some people,” he said.

Visibility

The actor wants to be visible for other trans people to show them that a bright future is possible.

“I would love to be the person some young trans kid looks up to so I can say there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Murphy said.

Twitter users were excited with Murphy’s character appearing in Fair City, congratulating him as an “inspiration” to the trans community.

So impressed with @jackshaunmurphy performance on #faircity tonight, he's an inspiration to the #trans community @rte

— Jennifer Betts (@JenniferBetts01) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/OliveNugent1/status/912043850872573952

If you didn’t get to catch Jack Murphy’s introduction as Ryan last night on Fair City, check it out on RTÉ Player here, available until October 16.