EastEnders viewers were overjoyed when the show announced last week that it will be introducing its first regular drag character.
Tara Misu, Felix Baker’s (Matthew Morrison) Drag alter-ego, will make her on-screen debut later this week.
Fans of the programme reacted positively to the news, with one calling it the “greatest EastEnders news in a long time.”
Some viewers, however, took issue with Tara being referred to as EastEnders’ “first” drag queen, referring to John Fisher, a character who appeared in the show in 1986.
‘David Dale was the first drag queen and was on Eastenders for about 8 weeks,’ one fan on social media yelled.
‘BBC has announced its first regular drag actor to appear in Eastenders,’ another added. Except they choose to omit the fact that David Dale was the first regular drag actor. He used to work at the Queen Vic when Den and Angie controlled it.’
Angie Watts, the Queen Vic’s landlady at the time, partnered with husband Den on live entertainment evenings in the hopes of boosting trade, which they feared would be damaged by Angie’s drink driving prosecution.
The initial drag night was a hit, and John – played by Dave Dale – would return on a regular basis, appearing in a total of 8 episodes, including the 100th.
Meanwhile, actor Matthew Morrison will make his debut as Felix/Tara in the fourth of this week’s four episodes of the soap.
‘I am delighted to have the opportunity to step into the heels of the ferocious Tara Misu as part of my role on EastEnders,’ Matthew said.
‘It’s an honour to represent the LGBTQIA+ community and to display the artistic art of drag to both home viewers and Walford residents.’
