Rose Ayling-Ellis says it was “refreshing” to work on new BBC drama that’s predominantly BSL

Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, known for her role in Reunion, explains why taking part in the upcoming BBC revengence drama proved to be a change of pace and invigorating experience compared to other acting jobs she’s had.

Ayling-Ellis, who acts alongside Anne Marie-Duff from ‘Bad Sisters’ and lead actor Matthew Gurney, shared with Digital Spy about her work on the bilingual British drama that combines British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English. She expressed it as a refreshing experience where she felt completely at ease and in her comfort zone.

In this production, a significant number of crew members were deaf individuals. This was quite numerous, leading to an environment where our hearing colleagues and non-deaf individuals gained considerable understanding about awareness. In fact, their communication evolved to the extent that they began using sign language among themselves.

She went on to add: “It didn’t make me feel different.”

The story revolves around Daniel Brennan (portrayed by Gurney), a former inmate who is deaf, as he embarks on a journey of redemption and uncovers the facts behind the circumstances that landed him in prison following his release.

Eddie Marsan, who is also a part of the show, praised the narrative, saying to Digital Spy: “Characters on the outskirts of stories are limited to being simple, either good or bad. But when placed at the heart of the story, they become intricate, creating drama.

Instead of viewing them as individuals with disabilities or being deaf, let’s recognize them as fellow humans, which is a shared characteristic we all possess.

Marsan commended Gurney’s performance, stating, “When [Gurney] signs, he’s incredibly expressive. As an actor, he possesses a remarkable talent for conveying thoughts without any action, and we can sense what he’s thinking. This observation comes from someone who has to communicate physically at all times.

However, he believes with certainty that as long as I merely think a thought, it will be understood by them, and that’s quite an impressive feat.

Ayling-Ellis expressed her hope that many people would watch the show and feel a sense of recognition, thinking, “This story on TV could be mine.

She went on to say: “It holds great significance to me since I hope it gains popularity, leading to wide viewership. With increased viewership comes a desire for more content in the same vein.

Reunion will premiere on BBC One on Monday, April 7, at 9pm.

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2025-04-01 14:19