Why Rose Ayling-Ellis 'had to be in' bilingual BSL drama Reunion

Rose Ayling-Ellis has opened up on how "refreshing" it was to see her experiences as a deaf woman reflected in new BBC thriller Reunion.

The former EastEnders actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner stars in the series as Miri, a young woman whose father was murdered by his friend Brennan. He has recently been released from prison and is struggling to rebuild his life with his estranged daughter while being shunned by the deaf community for his crime.

Reunion was written by deaf screenwriter William Mager and as well as featuring deaf actors, it is bilingual using both British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English for many of the hearing cast, too.

Ayling-Ellis told Yahoo UK how excited she was to see the detail of her own life and experiences represented in the script, and what it was like not to be the only deaf actor on set.

Rose Ayling-Ellis 'had to be in Reunion'

As a Strictly winner, soap star, and having enjoyed roles in shows such as Ludwig and Summer of Rockets, Ayling-Ellis has not been short of work - but she told Yahoo UK that Reunion was a dream job.

"When I first got the script, I was like, I have to be in this project, I have to, no question," she said. "It was so nice to have so many deaf people in the team. I'm used to being the only deaf person. I have worked with deaf actors before, but a deaf crew, that's never happened with me before. I absolutely loved it. It made a big difference because I can go to work and not have to explain, because someone else is doing it."

Her co-star Matthew Gurney plays Brennan, whose story unfolds as the drama shows what led him to end up in prison. Gurney, who is also a deaf actor, agreed that it was a special experience to work on the series.

"We rarely get opportunities," he explained. "I think this is the first - we've had other short films before, but on this scale of production. I think it's about time. We've got so many deaf writers, deaf actors out there but we just haven't had the opportunities. But I'm hoping this is going to change that story."

Reunion reflects 'detail' of deaf experience

Ayling-Ellis said that details included by writer Mager were the first time she had seen her experiences really represented in a script.

In one scene, an event organiser at a deaf school reunion asks to have plant pots on the tables moved so that people can see each other signing, while in another an interpreter explains that signs can mean something different depending on context.

"For me, what really got me excited was the little tiny detail in it," she shared. "So the plant pots on the table, the way they use sign language, there was a deaf joke in there. Some of the issues in there, I thought, this is really refreshing and it does make a difference when you have a deaf writer because those little details are what is the deaf experience. It had me turning the page, going, oh my god, yes, this happens to me! It was really exciting."

Gurney agreed that he could relate to some of what Brennan was facing in finding it difficult to connect to people when the character is shunned by people he used to know. Brennan also struggles with meetings about leaving prison when he isn't provided with an interpreter.

"It's all about rejection from your community," explained Gurney. "Brennan's had language deprivation. I experienced that when I was younger. I went to a deaf school and I was in my bubble. When I left school and came into the real world, I realised not many people knew sign language at all. I was like how do I get a job if nobody can communicate with me? English isn't my first language, and then I was isolated.

"I stayed home a lot in my comfort zone, in my bubble, but I have to make a living, I have to go out into that world, and when you do it's intimidating. So I used that experience to portray that in Brennan."

'Great drama you've never seen before'

Although the cast loved the representation that came with Reunion, Ayling-Ellis was keen to point out that it isn't an "educational show", but is simply "great drama".

She said: "I want people to remember this is a great drama, it's a great storyline, it's not an educational show, it's not teaching about deaf people. It's literally just watching drama like any other drama.

"But it's something new and exciting. The audience want something different all the time. They want to watch something they've never seen before. Well, here you go."