Is Reunion Revolutionizing British TV?

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Reunion is a show that could change the TV landscape.

In the United Kingdom, shows like Waterloo Road and Silent Witness have begun to include deaf characters, but a new production by Warp Films is taking representation a step further.

In the city of Sheffield, the story unfolds with Daniel Brennan, skillfully portrayed by the talented Matthew Gurney, a deaf actor bringing life to a deaf lead character. After spending a decade in prison, he experiences freedom once more, having been cut off from the hearing world during his time behind bars.

Upon reaching home, he discovers that neither his parents nor the local Deaf community wish to have any contact with him. His hearing daughter, portrayed by the gifted Lara Peake, also seems less than enthusiastic about their reconciliation.

In this four-part drama, we delve into Brennan’s enigma, interweaving scenes from his imprisonment and pre-existing life. The stellar cast includes Anne-Marie Duff portraying the resilient widow of the slain, Christine; Eddie Marsan as the mysterious new beau with a captivating past; and the captivating Rose Ayling-Ellis as Miri, Christine’s daughter, who lost her father to murder a decade ago.

As a supporter, I’ve longed for a mainstream drama penned by a Deaf author, and William Mager has certainly delivered. His dialogue is sharp, his characters are rich, and the suspense is palpable – everything you’d expect from a gripping thriller. Yet, what sets this apart is the deep-rooted deaf awareness that permeates the narrative, making it not just a great drama, but also an enlightening experience.

Being a deaf actor and author, I prefer not to dwell too much on my hearing impairment. The reason is simple: this production is meant to be appreciated as a source of pure enjoyment.

As someone who is both deaf and an advocate, I can’t help but celebrate this significant stride in the representation of the deaf community.

We have never seen a mainstream British drama with a half a D/deaf cast (let alone crew) until now.

It’s awe-inspiring to witness an abundance of gifted Deaf actors such as Sophie Stone, Rinkoo Barpaga, Julian Peedle-Calloo, and Stephen Collins, among others, grace the screen. This includes deaf extras too. The impact is particularly significant for the 18 million people in the UK who have some degree of hearing loss or deafness (RNID).

Moreover, having several deaf actors appearing simultaneously on screen and entire scenes in British Sign Language (BSL) marks a significant milestone for the approximately 150,000 individuals who primarily speak BSL. (British Deaf Association)

According to a recent survey by the Royal National Institute of Deaf People, approximately 90% of British Sign Language (BSL) users reported encountering unfavorable attitudes or actions within the past year. However, a TV show like “Reunion” has the potential to shift this narrative.

As audience members immerse themselves in the show’s drama, they might unknowingly gain an increased understanding of deafness – and even pick up some British Sign Language (BSL). Although it would be ideal if BSL were taught in schools, a BSL GCSE is on its way. Regardless, with Rose Ayling-Ellis’s latest documentary Old Hands, New Tricks demonstrating that anyone can learn, it’s within reach for everyone.

I had the fortunate opportunity to step backstage during the filming of the show, where I observed a fully bilingual set up close. Everywhere you looked, there were interpreters facilitating communication rather than one person struggling to keep up with multiple conversations. There was British Sign Language (BSL), lip-reading, written signs, and everything seemed to run smoothly.

In simpler terms, executive producer Gwen Gorst stated that during filming, there was an additional audio track playing softly (referred to as a whisper track), which contained an interpreter repeating in voiceover all the sign language being shown on screen. This ensured smooth communication and created a fully bilingual environment for the production.

In addition to Snellin, other cast members picked up British Sign Language (BSL) specifically for the show. He shared with me that he often practiced it in pubs after filming sessions. Interestingly, all hearing actors also delved into BSL, with Peake and Duff taking on the language during filming as well.

The exceptional quality of the work done here underscores the significance of clear, easy-to-understand communication. Might it serve as an example for bilingual scriptwriting in future film productions as well?

Beyond being an outstanding television program, Reunion stands as a significant milestone in production, featuring a talented Deaf screenwriter, a robust cast and team who are Deaf or hard of hearing, bi-lingual sets, all contributing to its excellence.

According to Mager, the show was penned as a heartfelt tribute to his hometown, and Director Luke Snellin (One Day) certainly captured this essence. Sheffield has never seemed more beautiful, with its vast landscapes providing a striking contrast to the close-knit dynamics of the characters’ relationships.

Intriguing sceneries and subtle directing are accentuated by a captivating theme song from local Sheffield musician, Richard Hawley, which will undoubtedly leave you yearning for more.

Snellin confessed that what initially captivated him was the concept of a “cinematic storyline featuring a central deaf character,” and I have no doubt that this remarkable series will also captivate viewers.

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2025-04-07 18:35