Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis to star in new thriller series

Virgin Radio

16 May 2024, 08:47

The BBC have announced that Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis is to star in a groundbreaking new thriller, called Reunion, in which the majority of cast and many crew members are deaf or using British Sign Language.

Written and created by Sheffield-born deaf writer William Mager, Reunion is an emotional thriller of revenge and redemption following the journey of Daniel Brennan, a deaf man determined to right his wrongs, while unravelling the truth behind the events that led him to prison.

Former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis is joined in the four-part series by lead actor Matthew Gurney, as well as Lara Peake from How to Have Sex, Anne-Marie Duff from Bad Sisters and Back to Black’s Eddie Marsan.

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Matthew Gurney plays recently released prisoner Brennan, who is struggling to fully integrate into the hearing world and is shunned by his closest friends and the wider deaf community following a heinous crime. 

His only meaningful relationship is with his estranged daughter Carly (Lara Peake), who he has not had any contact with since his arrest over a decade ago.

Meanwhile, Christine (Anne-Marie Duff) is desperate to get to the truth of what Brennan did. Eddie Marsan plays Christine’s protective boyfriend, while Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis will play her daughter, Miri.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said in a statement: “It’s no surprise that William Mager’s layered, intelligent and utterly compelling scripts have attracted a cast and crew of such exceptional calibre to bring this story to the BBC. A thriller like no other, this is a reunion you won’t want to miss”.

In a statement, Matthew Gurney says: “William’s scripts are electrifying and it’s a privilege to bring Brennan to life in this gripping tale of revenge, redemption and reconciliation”.

Anne-Marie Duff added: “I am genuinely thrilled to be a part of this very exciting production. It is rare to witness a narrative where the audience is taken on a journey with a very different set of senses. It’s about our need to acknowledge each other’s truths- both inside our own families and beyond. The team is so extraordinary. I feel very honoured to be rubbing shoulders with them”.

Reunion’s Eddie Marsan recently joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with webuyanycar to talk about his role in Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black.

As yet, no release date for Reunion has been announced.