Hollyoaks: Non-binary actor Ki Griffin joins main cast
The actor made their first on-screen appearance as Ripley Lennox last month.
By Will Stroude
Hollyoaks have announced that non-binary actor Ki Griffin is set to join the cast of the Channel 4 soap on a full-time basis.
Griffin, who appeared briefly on screen last month as market trader Ripley Lennox, has been promoted to the main cast as the soap returns to filming after being shut down due to the cornavirus pandemic.
Ripley was introduced to viewers in July as a friend of Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) and Yasmine Maalik (Haiesha Mistry).
Bosses have confirmed that the character will go on to establish friendships with some of Hollyoaks village’s younger residents including Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell) and Romeo Quinn (Owen Warner).
In a neat touch, news of Griffin’s promotion to series regular was announced on Twitter with a reminder of their pronouns, which are they/them, she/her, or he/him.
“If you haven’t already, please give a very warm welcome to Ki Griffin (they/them, she/her, or he/him) who plays Ripley Lennox!”, read a statement on the official Hollyoaks Twitter account.
“We’ve already had the pleasure of seeing Ripley on our screens, and there’s plenty more to come… Autumn 2020!”
📣 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 If you haven’t already, please give a very warm welcome to Ki Griffin (they/them, she/her, or he/him) who plays Ripley Lennox! 😍 We’ve already had the pleasure of seeing Ripley on our screens, and there’s plenty more to come… Autumn 2020!❤️ #Hollyoaks pic.twitter.com/abvLtiKAPz
— Hollyoaks (@Hollyoaks) August 10, 2020
Great strides have been made in soaploand when it comes to LGBTQ representation over the last decade, particularly in Hollyoaks – but Griffin’s casting remains a rare example of non-binary people being represented on screen. More please!
Hollyoaks is currently off air amid the coronavirus pandemic, but is set to return with new episodes this autumn on Channel 4.