Code of Silence Cast: ITV Crime Drama, Season 2, Deaf Actress

When a crime drama leads with a Deaf actress playing a Deaf character, it’s not just casting — it’s a statement. Rose Ayling-Ellis brings that authenticity to ITV’s Code of Silence, which premiered in early 2025 and quickly became ITV’s most-watched drama across all platforms in Q2 that year, according to Good Housekeeping UK.

Network: ITV ·
Premiere Date: 2025 ·
Episodes (Season 1): 6 ·
Season 2: Confirmed

The table below provides a snapshot of the show’s key facts.

Is the actress in Code of Silence deaf?

Who plays Alison?

Rose Ayling-Ellis plays Alison Brooks, a Deaf woman who works in a police canteen and gets drawn into a criminal investigation. Ayling-Ellis is deaf in real life, bringing lived experience to the role. She rose to fame as Frankie Lewis on EastEnders and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, making her one of the UK’s most recognizable Deaf performers (BBC (strictly profile)).

Rose Ayling-Ellis’s background

• Ayling-Ellis was born deaf and uses British Sign Language (BSL) as her first language (BBC).
• She is a vocal advocate for Deaf representation and accessibility in the arts.
• Her casting in Code of Silence was widely praised for authenticity.

How does her deafness affect the role?

Alison is also Deaf, and the show integrates BSL naturally into dialogue and plot. The character’s deafness isn’t just a trait — it shapes how she navigates the police investigation and her relationships. Code of Silence uses subtitles for BSL scenes, making the show accessible without diluting the experience. The result is a crime drama that feels both fresh and grounded.

The implication: Authentic casting here isn’t a checkbox — it drives the narrative and emotional stakes in a way a hearing actor in the role couldn’t.

Is there a season 2 of Code of Silence?

Official confirmation from ITV

Yes — ITV has officially confirmed that Code of Silence will return for a second series. The broadcaster called it its “most-watched” drama across all platforms and channels in Q2 2025 (Good Housekeeping UK).

Expected release window

At the time of the renewal announcement, ITV had not shared a specific release date for series 2. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2026 (Good Housekeeping UK). A realistic premiere would be late 2026 or early 2027, assuming production stays on track.

What to expect in season 2

Plot details remain under wraps, but the first season ended with a twist that sets up new threads. The core creative team is expected to return, and Rose Ayling-Ellis has expressed enthusiasm for continuing Alison’s story. Whether all supporting cast will be back is still unconfirmed.

The pattern: ITV is betting big on this show — a season 2 renewal within months of the premiere suggests strong behind-the-scenes confidence.

The renewal signals ITV’s confidence in the show’s long-term potential and Rose Ayling-Ellis’s role as a leading performer.

Where is the Code of Silence filmed?

Main filming locations

The series is set in Canterbury, but most filming took place in Hertfordshire and London. According to The Knowledge Online (production trade publication), the shoot lasted about five months from the previous autumn. Key locations include:

• St Albans — used for cafe and pub interior scenes (Time Out UK (London guide))
• Watford — the then-vacant Watford police station served as the police station set (Time Out UK)
• Hemel Hempstead — The Old Kings Arms pub exterior and Gadebridge Park for gang meeting scenes (Time Out UK)
• London — Freemasons’ Hall near Covent Garden (vault scenes), one75 bar near West Hampstead (nightclub), and South Bank near OXO Tower (club entrance) (Time Out UK)

For another ITV production set in the UK, see our guide to Celebrity Traitors UK 2025.

Stately home used

While some online speculation mentioned a stately home, the publicly available production notes do not confirm one. The research notes for this guide indicate no named stately home location.

The catch: Without official confirmation, calling it “Blenheim Palace” or similar would be speculation. What is clear is the production’s resourcefulness in using real, characterful locations across Hertfordshire and London.

Is Code of Silence worth watching?

Critical reception

Reviews have been largely positive, with critics singling out Rose Ayling-Ellis’s performance as a highlight. On Rotten Tomatoes (aggregator), the series holds a 78% audience score (as of early 2025). The consensus points to strong acting and a fresh angle on the crime genre, though some found the pacing uneven in middle episodes. If you enjoy character-driven UK crime dramas, you might also like our guide to the All Creatures Great and Small Cast.

Audience reviews

• Many viewers praised the representation of Deaf characters and BSL use as groundbreaking for a mainstream ITV drama.
• Some criticism focused on the plot’s predictability, but the emotional core and performances compensated.
• On IMDb (user database), the series scores 7.2/10, reflecting solid audience approval.

Comparison with similar crime dramas

If you enjoy character-driven UK crime dramas like Line of Duty or The Bay, Code of Silence offers a similar procedural structure with a unique central character. The difference: Alison’s deafness isn’t a gimmick — it’s integral to how information flows and trust is built. For viewers tired of the same old detective tropes, this feels like a genuine refresh.

The trade-off: You get a slower-burn mystery with a heavy focus on character relationships. If you want fast-paced action, this isn’t it.

What happens to Alison and Liam in Code of Silence?

Plot summary of season 1

Alison Brooks (Rose Ayling-Ellis) works at a police canteen in Canterbury and becomes involved in a murder investigation when a body is found near her home. She forms a connection with Liam Barlow (Kieron Moore), a suspect with a troubled past. The series follows Alison using her observational skills — sharpened by her deafness — to piece together clues that the hearing detectives miss.

Alison and Liam’s relationship

Their bond grows across the six episodes, shifting from wariness to trust. Liam is initially hostile, but Alison’s persistence and empathy break through. The show doesn’t romanticize the relationship — it’s complicated, set against suspicion and danger.

Season 1 ending explained (spoiler-free)

The finale reveals the true culprit and leaves Liam’s fate ambiguous. Alison makes a choice that could change both their lives. The ending deliberately sets up threads for season 2, with a final shot that hints at unresolved danger.

Why this matters: The ending rewards patient viewers and ensures that the story doesn’t wrap up too neatly — there’s a reason season 2 is in the works.

For ITV, the series is more than a ratings win — it’s a creative blueprint. For Deaf audiences, it’s a milestone. For viewers deciding what to watch next, the choice is clear: Code of Silence offers a crime drama that sees its protagonist fully, not as a token but as a person whose perspective changes everything. Rose Ayling-Ellis’s performance ensures that missing this series means missing a landmark in Deaf representation.

For a comprehensive overview of the ensemble, the Code of Silence cast guide provides a detailed breakdown of every actor and character.

Frequently asked questions