How brilliant British drama Falling spotlights a relationship ‘not shown on mainstream TV enough’

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Paapa Essiedu is an actor known for consistently delivering outstanding performances. He’s received both an Olivier Award and a BAFTA nomination, and has earned praise for his work in popular and critically acclaimed dramas like Gangs of London and I May Destroy You.

I just started watching this new show, Falling, and it’s really good! The main character, David, played by Essiedu, is a priest who gets involved with a nun, Anna. But it’s not just a romance – he’s also a really dedicated brother. His sister, Susan, is deaf, and they communicate using British Sign Language, which is a cool and important part of the show. It adds a lot of depth to his character and his relationships.

I’ve only seen a little bit of David signing in British Sign Language with his family in Falling so far, but that’s going to change. It looks like Susan is going to be a real support for David as things get complicated with Anna. The actor Paapa Essiedu has said that the fact David and Susan share BSL is super important to their connection, and honestly, it’s great to see that represented more on TV – we need more of it!

He expressed gratitude to Jack Thorne for the chance to portray a type of relationship rarely seen on television. He explained that he focused on building a deep intimacy and shared history between the characters David and Susan, emphasizing how their sibling bond was reflected in their unique way of speaking and interacting. He described it as one of the most fulfilling relationships he’s had the chance to explore as an actor.

Working on this project deepened the relationships both between us as actors and between our characters. As you watch the show, you’ll see that David and Susan have a strong connection built on their shared past and how they communicate. It was a real honor to have the opportunity to explore that, even in a small way.

Initially, the plan was for David to communicate using SSE, which combines sign language with spoken English. However, Sophie, a deaf actress, requested that David and Susan use British Sign Language (BSL) instead.

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She explained that the project began with the script for ‘SSE’. The initial concept was to deliver dialogue using both spoken voice and sign language simultaneously. When she joined, she suggested they experiment with translating the script into British Sign Language (BSL), paying close attention to not just the signs themselves, but also the accompanying facial expressions, the forcefulness of certain signs, and all the nuances that create a powerfully expressive, emotionally resonant, and almost spiritual experience.

“It all suddenly made sense,” the actor explained. “We realized the way he used language wasn’t just right for the character, David, and his world – especially his connection with his sister – but it perfectly suited Paapa as well. He wasn’t self-conscious or judgmental at all. Many people feel awkward expressing themselves or fully engaging with language, but he didn’t. He fully embraced it, enjoyed using it, and was proud to be part of the Deaf community. It was important to him that the language wasn’t just visually appealing, but also clear and that the connection between the characters felt genuine.”

One of the best things about the drama Falling is its commitment to including British Sign Language, and an upcoming scene featuring David and Susan will really highlight why that representation matters.

Director Peter Hoar described a scene lasting around seven minutes, featuring only a couple of lines of dialogue. He believes it’s incredibly powerful and emotionally genuine, making the relationship between the characters completely believable.

Although Falling is primarily a love story about a nun and a priest, it also beautifully portrays the strong bond between siblings, and British Sign Language is central to their connection.

Falling airs on Channel 4.

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2026-05-20 00:19