“Since winning Strictly in 2021, Rose Ayling-Ellis has made waves in the entertainment industry — and now she’s fronting her own ITV series alongside a well-known co-star.”
Since becoming the first deaf contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, Rose Ayling-Ellis has emerged as a powerful voice for the deaf community in the world of entertainment. Despite the barriers her disability presented, she has carved out an impressive acting career, becoming a well-loved public figure.
Now aged 30, Rose takes centre stage in ITV’s new crime thriller Code Of Silence, marking her first major lead role. She plays Alison, a canteen assistant working in a police station who unexpectedly becomes key to an ongoing investigation. With a gang posing serious danger, the police come to depend on Alison’s expert lip-reading abilities to intercept and decode their secretive conversations.
Fans who followed Rose during her EastEnders tenure or saw her in Reunion will witness a significant milestone in her career with this six-part series.
Starring alongside Rose is Call the Midwife and Ghosts actress Charlotte Ritchie, portraying DS Ashleigh Francis. Her character forms a protective, sister-like bond with Alison. Meanwhile, Andrew Buchan plays DI James Marsh — a seasoned officer more focused on solving the case than accommodating Alison’s unique needs. “The last time this gang was active, an innocent man was killed,” Buchan revealed, adding, “That haunts my character daily.”
Ritchie described the dynamics between the two female leads: “They connect deeply, like sisters, but it comes with tension. Ashleigh is constantly trying to find the balance between supporting Alison and holding her back from danger.”
While Charlotte has found success internationally with Netflix’s You, her heart remains in British TV. “Filming this felt intimate, local – I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be part of it,” she said.
Rose has been steadfast in ensuring that deaf representation is portrayed authentically on screen. Code Of Silence doesn’t just follow a detective narrative; it dives into Alison’s personal journey as well. Kieron Moore joins the cast as Liam, Alison’s love interest, offering viewers a glimpse into the romantic side of her life. Rose was adamant about depicting the full human experience of a deaf woman — romance included.
Kieron and Rose didn’t require a screen test to show chemistry. “We met on the first day on set,” Kieron shared. “Our first scene was from a later episode, and it ended up being one of my favourites. The connection felt so natural, and I felt completely at ease with her.”
The cast grew close during filming in Canterbury, a city that holds personal memories for Rose as she studied there in the past. Ever the inclusive force, she helped build a bridge between the deaf and hearing crew by teaching them a new sign language word each day.