BritBox & ITV Teaming for Deaf Crime Drama 'Code of Silence'

Filming is underway for the next big collaboration between ITV and BritBox International, a crime thriller called Code of Silence. ITV initially commissioned the series in mid-2023 for its ITVX streaming service; BritBox boarded the project sometime between that initial announcement and the beginning of filming in October 2024, guaranteeing it would air in the U.S. and Canada. However, despite both networks being littered with mysteries, thrillers, true crime stories, and whodunit, Code of Silence stands as a new milestone in representation, as it's a high-profile mystery series with a deaf lead character, played by deaf actor Rose Ayling-Ellis, best known for her role on EastEnders.

The new series promises a fresh and distinctive perspective on the intersection of crime and communication. The initial press release described the series as "delivering a gripping and emotional narrative that provides essential representation for the Deaf community." Ayling-Ellis concurred in her statement: "When I first read Catherine Moulton’s script, it was obvious that her first-hand experiences and understanding enabled her to write a truly authentic character, and I knew I had to be a part of this project. I am so delighted ITV are as excited as we are to bring this to life, and I can’t wait to get started!”

Ayling-Ellis may be breaking ground as a deaf lead, but the entire cast and crew is also walking the walk, bringing together a diverse group from the deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse communities both in front of and behind the camera. 

Here's the series' full synopsis:

Code of Silence is told through the point of view of Alison Brooks, a Deaf canteen worker. Alison struggles to make ends meet, juggling two jobs, one in a police canteen and another in a local bar, while also doing her best to support her Deaf mum, Julie. It’s not long before Alison is pulled into a high-stakes police investigation when DS Ashleigh Francis asks that she use her lip-reading skills to monitor a dangerous criminal gang. As her interpretation of their covert conversations becomes central to the investigation, Alison is plunged into an exhilarating new world. Her role quickly becomes critical to unlocking the police case, but her feelings become complicated when she finds herself drawn to one of the suspects, Liam Bayne. Despite knowing the risks and the growing threat to her personal life, Alison can’t let go.

Ayling-Ellis leads this groundbreaking drama with a cast that includes fellow deaf actor Fifi Garfield (Deaf Funny) as her mother, Julie; Kieron Moore (Masters of the Air), who plays suspect Liam Bayne; Charlotte Ritchie (Ghosts) as DS Ashleigh Francis; and Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch) as DI James Marsh. The supporting cast includes Nathan Armarkwei Laryea (The Witcher), Joe Absolom (Doc Martin), Beth Goddard (The Serpent Queen), Andrew Scarborough (Downton Abbey), and presenter Rolf Choutan in his first dramatic role.

Code of Silence was conceived by Catherine Moulton (Baptiste), who drew on her personal experiences with lip-reading and hearing loss to create the series. Moulton wrote four of the series' six episodes, with writers Will Truefitt and Benji Walters penning the other two. Directors Diarmuid Goggins (Kin) and Chanya Button (World on Fire) split helming duties. Ayling-Ellis and Moulton executive produce alongside Bryony Arnold & Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen and Robert Schildhouse & Stephen Nye for BritBox.

Code of Silence will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX in the U.K. and on BritBox in the US and Canada in 2025.