Deaf Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis Highlights Industry Challenges, Stars in ITV Drama

The inquest into the death of deaf TikTok star Imogen Nunn highlighted a critical shortage of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters within the UK's healthcare system, which complicates communication for deaf patients in crisis situations. Nurse Carmen Jones emphasized the ongoing struggles to secure interpreters for mental health care, underscoring the importance of shared language for effective understanding. Meanwhile, ITV's new drama Code of Silence, starring deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, brings attention to deaf representation in media by portraying a deaf character who uses lip-reading to assist in a police investigation. Ayling-Ellis has spoken candidly about the challenges and frustrations deaf actors face in the television industry, especially regarding assumptions about their capabilities and the depth of communication beyond speaking and listening. The show's cast embraced learning BSL to foster clear communication on set, enhancing authenticity and inclusivity. Through her role, Ayling-Ellis seeks to challenge stereotypes and highlight how people with hearing impairments navigate life on their own terms.