The World of T’s Rose Ayling-Ellis
Since departing from EastEnders three years ago, Rose Ayling-Ellis has made quite a name for herself. She bagged a Stage Debut Award and scored an Olivier nomination for her role as Celia in the production of As You Like It at Sohoplace. She’s also participated in two documentaries on hearing loss, which is a part of her life since birth. Plus, she appeared in a reunion episode of a popular BBC thriller. Most recently, she took the lead in a quirky ITV thriller. Oh, and she’s set to star in a new adaptation of Will Dean’s Dark Pines novel, while also working on a comedy-drama about dating as a deaf person in London. Really, how does she manage it all?
In the ITV thriller “Code of Silence,” Ayling-Ellis plays Alison, who works in a police canteen. Her role deepens as she starts getting involved in an investigation targeting violent criminal gangs that have been meeting in isolated spots. The officers are monitoring them with hidden cameras, but the official lip readers at the station are all busy, leaving a gap that Alison steps in to fill.
As the story unfolds, Alison becomes more entangled in the investigation. Initially, the team requests her help, especially after a new gang member named Liam, played by Kieron Moore, starts working at her pub. Soon, Alison’s motivations grow more personal. After witnessing the lead detective, Andrew Bucan, struggle with his own issues—specifically the death of a colleague—she gathers information that becomes too important to overlook. She also finds herself drawn to Liam, who appears to be a relatively low-key member of the gang. There are only two episodes to review at the moment, but it looks like there’s room for character development for this newcomer.
It’s definitely interesting to see where this goes. While the fundamental plot isn’t groundbreaking, the subplot involving Alison and her mother facing eviction due to a redevelopment initiative adds intrigue. This situation also contributes significantly to Alison’s motivations. The cast, particularly Ayling-Ellis, brings a convincing energy to the narrative.
Gracefully, the show dives into the day-to-day realities of being deaf. For instance, when Alison lip-reads during her work shifts, her struggle becomes apparent as only partial subtitles are available, often lacking full clarity. It effectively illustrates the challenges of lip-reading since many words can look alike.
Moreover, there are moments where Alison pauses during everyday activities. The series challenges typical assumptions about deafness, like when Liam asks whether she enjoys music at the pub, as patrons engage with the craft beer choices around them. One particularly exhausting day, Alison muses that she sometimes wishes to be “a little deaf,” expressing her fatigue with needing to constantly prove herself. Although the show doesn’t highlight employment discrimination overtly, it does subtly reveal the challenges she faces securing work at the pub and finding an interpreter for new tasks.
Overall, the show offers a refreshing perspective on the realities of being deaf without veering too far from entertainment. It’s an enriching exploration worth tuning into.
