Adolescence makers are changing lives again with ‘totally inspiring’ BBC revenge thriller

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Up Next

Previous Page Next Page

BBC’s widely-praised new series Reunion is blazing a trail for representation on TV for the Deaf community, fans say.

The four-part revenge thriller, from the producers behind Adolescence, follows newly-released murder convict Daniel Brennan (Matthew Gurney).

Daniel is a deaf man who has been shunned by his community and spent a decade isolated in prison. Now back in society, he embarks on a mission of vengeance as he tries to repair his relationship with his estranged daughter Carly (Lara Peake).

Meanwhile, the family of his victim – wife Christine (Anne Marie-Duff) and daughter Miri (Rose Ayling-Ellis) – demand answers for Daniel’s motivations in a mystery spanning an entire decade.

The entire show is dual-language, English and British Sign Language (BSL), a rarity for prime time British TV prompting fans to praise the game-changing inclusivity and gripping series as a whole.

‘Reunion is going to be one of the best things that the BBC is going to show… the main actors being deaf to having the majority of the crew being from the Deaf community is unreal and is going to change the inclusivity of this industry so much!!!’ soph posted on X.

Viewers are praising the deaf representation on ‘prime time’ TV (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/P)

‘Really enjoying Reunion with Matthew Gurney, Rose Ayling Ellis, and Anne-Marie Duff. Great to see deaf representation on a mainstream channel. Let’s see more of this, please,’ Pippa Jones echoed.

Fantastic to watch a sign language/ deaf based drama on prime time,’ Priya Samuel agreed.

‘Watching the first few mins of Reunion on iPlayer. In the first few scenes, I’m glad they addressed this important communication issues that affects many Deaf people every day,’ Gary sturrock praised.

‘Must watch Reunion, a game changer,’ evie shared.

‘As a deaf person, this programme is great to watch and learn the BSL again. Definitely more twist and turns to come!’ Clare reflected.

And, as whole, the show has been called ‘brilliant’ (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/Nick Eagle)

‘I watched the full series last night. Absolutely loved it. How you can have the talent to write, produce, write the music and of course to act so well is completely beyond me. it’s totally inspiring and outstanding! Many congratulations to EVERYONE involved,’ Just Me Stevie hailed.

‘Brilliantly done. Some great performances and very thought provoking,’ Karl Cunllife commented.

It’s a sentiment echoed by the stars of the show.

‘He’s just a man who happens to be deaf, and he’s on his own journey and that really hooked me. If he was a victim, I wouldn’t have auditioned for him as a part for me but it was a really exciting character to play,’ Matthew told Metro.

The lead stars of the show made clear how important it was to have inclusive, non tokenistic, storytelling (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/Matt Squire)

And Strictly winner Rose agreed that inclusive casting was the way forward.

She explained: ‘We have seen many times in the past, a non-disabled person playing a disabled character. That should finish now.

‘And all the people that say, “Oh, well, that’s the whole point of acting.” Okay. I don’t get to act like a hearing person. Do I ever get a cast as the hearing person? No. That’s my role.’

Elsewhere, to Hollywood Reporter, Matthew shared his wishes for the future of TV production.

‘I have worked with deaf actors and crew. I know that they can do it. I want to see more agents bringing in deaf actors and crew. I hope the game changes in the future,’ he said.

Reunion is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.