Code of Silence cast: Who else stars in Rose Ayling-Ellis ITV crime thriller?

However, complications soon arise when she develops feelings for a new member of the group, Liam.

Former EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing 2021 winner Rose, who was born Deaf, takes on the lead roll, but the actress was originally unsure about taking on the role.

"Originally, when I saw the pitch and the first thing was lip-reading, I thought, 'Oh no'," she said during a press Q&A.

"It's a bit risky because sometimes people can get it so wrong, because it can be like lip-reading from a distance and you understand everything, and it doesn't work like that."

She went on to explain that when she read the scripts, which were penned by Catherine Moulton, who is partially Deaf and herself a skilled lip-reader, she realised that she "had to play this role".

"The fact that it was saying how hard lip-reading is and that it's like a puzzle – and that you're working... in such a speedy time, under massive stress – that's what really appealed to me."

Alongside Ayling-Ellis, a number of other recognisable faces star, plus some you might not recognise. Read on for a rundown of the major players in the ITV series.

Code of Silence cast on ITV

• Rose Ayling-Ellis as Alison
• Kieron Moore as Liam
• Andrew Buchan as James
• Charlotte Ritchie as Ashleigh
• Nathan Armarkwei Laryea as Ben
• Joe Absolom as Braden/Hulk
• Colin Hoult as Mark
• Beth Goddard as Helen/Cruella
• Andrew Scarborough as Joseph/Wolf
• Fifi Garfield as Julie
• Rolf as Eithan

For more information about the main characters and where you've seen the cast before, read on.

Rose Ayling-Ellis plays Alison

Who is Alison? Alison, who's Deaf, is working in a police canteen when she's approached by a detective, whose team need her impeccable lip-reading skills to help bring down a dangerous gang. But while she's all too happy to say yes, she has no idea just how dicey her new venture will be.

"She works in the station canteen and, when she joined, she put down on the computer database that she was Deaf and could read lips, just to see what happened," explained Ayling-Ellis.

"When their regular lipreader isn’t available... they turn to her and, as time goes on, she wants to be more and more involved – because what has she got to lose?

"If she doesn't take that risk, then the police would probably eventually send her back to the canteen with a thank you. It gives her a purpose."

Speaking about what excited her most about signing up to the show, Ayling-Ellis added: "It offers a more truthful experience of a Deaf person lip reading. You want to be authentic to the experience of Deaf people, but it's an entertaining drama as well, so you need a mix of the two.

"Code of Silence has a Deaf character at the centre, and you can't just ignore that, but she's got other stuff going on too."

Ayling-Ellis went on to discuss the writer Catherine Moulton, who is partially Deaf and a skilled lip-reader herself.

"Once she’d decided to learn how to lip read, she realised it was more difficult than she had thought," she said. "That's what got me most excited: somebody else experiencing it, not just me coming in and telling people what it's like to be Deaf.

"For example, everyone thinks you can lip read from a distance and see everything someone says, but it's not always like that. Lip reading is a puzzle, and you really see that in Code of Silence."

What else has Rose Ayling-Ellis been in? You might know her from EastEnders, Reunion, Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing.

Kieron Moore plays Liam

Who is Liam? Liam, a computer hacker with a troubled background, is the newest and youngest member of the gang. Over the course of the series, he grows close to Alison.

What else has Kieron Moore been in? His credits include Vampire Academy, Masters of the Air and Sex Education.

Charlotte Ritchie plays Ashleigh

Who is Ashleigh? A detective sergeant who seeks out Alison for her lip-reading skills. As Ashleigh begins working with her, the pair develop a sisterly bond.

What else has Charlotte Ritchie been in? Her extensive CV includes Ghosts, You, Grantchester, Call the Midwife, Feel Good and Fresh Meat.

Nathan Armarkwei Laryea plays Ben

Who is Ben? A detective constable working alongside James and Ashleigh. He continually underestimates Alison.

What else has Nathan Armarkwei Laryea been in? He's had roles in The Witcher and Doctor Who.

Joe Absolom plays Braden/Hulk

Who is Braden/Hulk? One of the gang members. Braden introduces Liam to his associates. He also owns a pub called The Canterbury Tap.

What else has Joe Absolom been in? You might know him from EastEnders, Doc Martin, The Bay and A Confession.

Andrew Buchan plays James

Who is James? A detective inspector working to bring down a notorious gang before they commit their next – and biggest – heist.

"James is the driven detective who sees Alison’s lip reading talent and her desire to make a difference," reads the official description. "He empowers her, but ends up encouraging her to go further than she should."

What else has Andrew Buchan been in? He's known for Broadchurch, The Fixer, The Honourable Woman, The Crown, Industry, This England, Better and Black Doves.

Colin Hoult plays Mark

Who is Mark? He works in Braden's pub and hires Alison to work behind the bar after he's charmed by her initial introduction – something she decides not to tell James and his team about.

What else has Colin Hoult been in? You might have watched him in After Life, Almost Never, Black Ops and The Flatshare.

Additional cast includes:

• Beth Goddard (The Serpent Queen) plays Helen/Cruella - the gang leader. Her husband was previously in charge, but he's currently behind bars following a robbery that went wrong.
• Andrew Scarborough (Emmerdale) plays Joseph/Wolf - another member of the gang.
• Fifi Garfield (Deaf Funny) plays Julie - Alison's mum. She is also Deaf and a single parent.
• Rolf Choutan plays Eithan - Alison's ex-boyfriend. She ended their relationship but that hasn't deterred him from trying to win her back.

Read more:

• Code of Silence's Rose Ayling-Ellis explains why she was originally unsure about thriller
• Rose Ayling-Ellis on Code of Silence and how "a lot of coffee" helped with intense Doctor Who role

Code of Silence will air on ITV1 and ITVX from Sunday 18th May 2025.

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