Premiering July 24, 2025, on BritBox, Code of Silence delivers a groundbreaking thriller where silence speaks louder than bullets. The series follows Alison Brooks (Rose Ayling-Ellis), a sharp-witted deaf caterer thrust into police investigations when her lip-reading skills make her indispensable. As she decodes criminal conversations, Alison walks a razor’s edge—falling for a suspect while guarding her mother’s safety. Set against Manchester’s rain-slicked streets, this noir-tinged drama explores trust, disability advocacy, and the cost of truth in a world built on deception.

With a cast blending acclaimed veterans and rising stars, Code of Silence redefines crime storytelling through authentic Deaf perspectives. Each character embodies moral ambiguity, from conflicted detectives to suspects masking secrets. Below, meet the ensemble turning whispers into weapons.

Code of Silence Cast

1: Rose Ayling-Ellis as Alison Brooks

Rose Ayling-Ellis, the trailblazing Deaf actress and Strictly Come Dancing champion, shatters stereotypes as Alison Brooks. Drawing from her own lived experience, Ayling-Ellis infuses Alison with fierce intelligence and vulnerability—a caterer balancing financial strain with unexpected power. Her lip-reading scenes, crafted with Deaf consultants, avoid clichés, showing Alison’s skill as both gift and burden. Ayling-Ellis’ BAFTA-winning turn in Silent Witness (2023) laid groundwork for this complex role, but here she ascends to icon status.

Off-screen, Ayling-Ellis advocated for authentic representation: 70% of the crew is Deaf or hard-of-hearing. She trained with lip-reading experts and developed Alison’s tactile bond with her mother (Fifi Garfield). “Alison isn’t ‘inspirational’—she’s a woman fighting systemic invisibility,” Ayling-Ellis states. Her chemistry with Kieron Moore (Liam) simmers with dangerous allure, blurring lines between duty and desire.

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2: Charlotte Ritchie as DS Ashleigh Francis

Charlotte Ritchie (Ghosts, Feel Good) trades comedy for grit as DS Ashleigh Francis, the pragmatic detective recruiting Alison. Ritchie’s Ashleigh hides bureaucratic ruthlessness behind a veneer of empathy, exploiting Alison’s talents while dismissing her warnings. The role demanded unlearning Ritchie’s signature warmth—Ashleigh’s moral compromises reflect policing’s institutional rot.

Ritchie shadowed female detectives to capture Ashleigh’s physicality: stiff posture, controlled gestures masking guilt. Her friction with Ayling-Ellis drives key scenes, especially when Ashleigh weaponizes Alison’s disability for “results.” “She’s the system’s cog, grinding down those it should protect,” Ritchie reveals. The character’s arc forces her to confront her own complicity.

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3: Nathan Armarkwei Laryea as DC Ben Lawford

Nathan Armarkwei Laryea (Top Boy, The Responder) brings soulful intensity to DC Ben Lawford, Ashleigh’s idealistic partner. Laryea’s Ben champions Alison’s insights but battles prejudice in the ranks—a parallel to his own experience as a Black officer. His arc mirrors real-world tensions around diversity in policing, culminating in a showdown with superiors over Alison’s safety.

Laryea trained in British Sign Language (BSL) to share unspoken moments with Ayling-Ellis. Off-camera, he volunteers with youth outreach programs, informing Ben’s protectiveness. “Ben sees Alison’s humanity when others see a tool,” he says. His loyalty clashes with Ritchie’s Ashleigh, sparking the season’s most explosive argument.

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4: Andrew Buchan as DI James Marsh

Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch, The Girl Before) embodies DI James Marsh, a weary commander with skeletons in his closet. Buchan’s Marsh manipulates Alison’s involvement to bury past mistakes—his calm authority masking venomous self-interest. The role is a masterclass in quiet menace, contrasting his heroic turns in Giri/Haji.

Buchan studied real corruption scandals to craft Marsh’s psychological warfare tactics. A scene where he gaslights Alison about a suspect’s confession is a standout. “Marsh isn’t a villain; he’s decay in a polished badge,” Buchan notes. His dynamic with Joe Absolom (Braden) hints at a shared dark history.

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5: Dedun Omole as DC Nia Caballero

Dedun Omole (Small Axe, The Power) shines as DC Nia Caballero, a tech genius navigating the force’s “boys’ club.” Omole’s Nia becomes Alison’s clandestine ally, hacking surveillance to protect her. Her arc explores allyship beyond performativity—Nia risks her career to expose Marsh’s corruption.

Omole learned coding basics and consulted with Deaf activists for the role. “Nia knows silence isn’t neutrality; it’s complicity,” she asserts. Her bond with Ayling-Ellis offers the show’s warmest moments—a shared cigarette break becomes their silent rebellion.

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6: Kieron Moore as Liam Barlow

Kieron Moore (Industry, The Lazarus Project) smolders as Liam Barlow, the charming suspect Alison falls for. Moore’s Liam is a paradox—a philanthropist accused of money laundering, whose tenderness with Alison complicates her investigation. Moore’s chemistry with Ayling-Ellis is electric, blending BSL flirtation with palpable tension.

Moore researched coercive control tactics to blur Liam’s intentions. “Is he a victim or predator? The script keeps you guessing,” he teases. His scenes with Andrew Scarborough (Joseph) suggest a high-stakes conspiracy neither can escape.

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7: Joe Absolom as Braden Moore

Joe Absolom (A Confession, Doc Martin) terrifies as Braden Moore, Liam’s volatile brother and the season’s wildcard. Absolom’s Braden drips with menace—a knife fight in Episode 3 becomes a visceral showcase of his physicality. His hatred for Alison stems from her ability to “hear” his secrets.

Absolom based Braden on real offenders with pathological distrust of authority. His confrontations with Buchan’s Marsh crackle with unspoken history. “Braden’s a rabid dog; Marsh holds the leash,” Absolom hints. The role marks a career-redefining turn.

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8: Beth Goddard as Helen Redman

Beth Goddard (The Crown, Grantchester) delivers steely gravitas as Helen Redman, a prosecutor pressuring Alison to testify. Goddard’s Helen masks ethical compromises with polished rhetoric, symbolizing legal systems that tokenize disability. Her courtroom duel with Alison—where lip-read evidence is challenged—becomes a searing commentary on accessibility.

Goddard drew from real prosecutorial scandals. “Helen’s ‘justice’ serves the powerful,” she states. Her icy rapport with Ritchie’s Ashleigh reveals a shared pragmatism.

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9: Fifi Garfield as Julie Brooks

Fifi Garfield (Call the Midwife) brings warmth as Julie Brooks, Alison’s fiercely protective mother. Garfield’s Julie battles chronic illness, her vulnerability fueling Alison’s choices. Their conversations in BSL—full of tactile reassurance—ground the series in emotional truth.

Garfield trained with occupational therapists to portray Julie’s physical decline authentically. “Julie’s love is Alison’s anchor in the storm,” she says. A subplot involving Rolf Choutan (Eithan) hints at Julie’s hidden past.

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10: Rolf Choutan as Eithan Lewis

Rolf Choutan (The Tourist) intrigues as Eithan Lewis, Julie’s enigmatic home nurse. Choutan’s Eithan hides ties to the criminal underworld, his gentle care masking ulterior motives. The actor’s background in psychological thrillers (Behind Her Eyes) heightens the role’s ambiguity.

Choutan’s subtle gestures—a lingering syringe, a coded text—build unease. “Trust him at your peril,” he warns. His presence escalates the threat to Alison’s family.

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11: Andrew Scarborough as Joseph Holhurst

Andrew Scarborough (Ted Lasso, Victoria) chills as Joseph Holhurst, a corporate kingpin pulling Liam and Braden’s strings. Scarborough’s Joseph exudes aristocratic menace, his charity galas hiding money-laundering webs. A confrontation with Alison—where she lip-reads his threats across a crowded room—showcases the show’s innovative suspense.

Scarborough modeled Joseph on real white-collar criminals. “His violence wears a Savile Row suit,” he notes. The character’s downfall sets up Season 2 stakes.

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Unlock the Silence on July 24, 2025

Code of Silence redefines crime drama through Rose Ayling-Ellis’s star-making performance and a world where every glance holds a clue. With heart-in-throat suspense, a forbidden romance, and BritBox’s signature sophistication, this series proves truth isn’t heard—it’s seen. Stream exclusively on BritBox.