Sheffield-born, deaf writer William Mager has penned a new thriller for the BBC that follows a recently released deaf prisoner on his path to redemption.
As the four-part series starts filming in Sheffield, UK, the BBC has announced the cast. As the majority are deaf or use British Sign Language, the series marks a milestone in inclusive storytelling.
Matthew Gurney (Name Me Lawand) will lead as the prisoner, Daniel Brennan. Upon his release, Daniel is isolated, shunned by his close friends and the wider deaf community for his “heinous crime,” as well as the inaccessible hearing world.
This leaves only his daughter Carly, played by Lara Peake (How to Have Sex), and they haven’t been in touch since he was first arrested over a decade ago.
Meanwhile Anne-Marie Duff (who shone as Grace in Bad Sisters) will star as Christine, who’s hellbent on finding Daniel to reveal the truth behind his crime.
Duff said: “I am genuinely thrilled to be a part of this very exciting production. It is rare to witness a narrative where the audience is taken on a journey with a very different set of senses.
“It’s about our need to acknowledge each other’s truths- both inside our own families and beyond. The team is so extraordinary. I feel very honoured to be rubbing shoulders with them.”
Eddie Marsan (Back to Black) will play Christine’s protective boyfriend, while Rose Ayling-Ellis (EastEnders) will play her daughter Miri.
Also featuring are Stephen Collins (Dune: Part One) as Sean, Ace Mahbaz (Small World) as Ray Mokhtar, Sophie Stone (The Chelsea Detective) as Naomi Brennan, Olive Gray (Halo) as Anna Shenford and Joe Sims (Broadchurch) as Joe Summers.
Joanne Harrison will play Daniel’s mother and David Hirshman (Signs of an Affair) his dad.
Julian Peedle-Calloo (Louder Than Words) will appear as Gardner, Cherie Gordon (Boat Story) will play Tasha, Rinkoo Barpaga (You Don’t Know Me) as Vinay, James Joseph Boyle as Matthew, and Duffy (Small World) as David.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “It’s no surprise that William Mager’s layered, intelligent and utterly compelling scripts have attracted a cast and crew of such exceptional calibre to bring this story to the BBC. A thriller like no other, this is a reunion you won’t want to miss”.
Reunion is now filming in Sheffield and will air on BBC One and iPlayer.