If you're looking for your next binge-worthy show, Reunion on BBC will surely deliver. Set in the heart of Sheffield, this emotional thriller explores a powerful story of revenge and redemption. Produced by the same team behind the record-breaking Adolescence on Netflix, this drama is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The new drama, created by deaf writer William Mager, stars actors from Bad Sisters and Broadchurch. It centres around Daniel Brennan, a deaf man, newly released from prison, who's on a relentless mission to right the wrongs of his past. In doing so, he uncovers the shocking truths behind the events that led to his imprisonment.
What is Reunion about?
Reunion is a bilingual series that seamlessly integrates British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English.
In the show, Brennan (played by Matthew Gurney) finds himself trapped between two conflicting worlds as he becomes estranged from both the hearing community and the deaf world after his unforgivable crime.
Shunned by friends and former allies, he is left in a state of deep isolation. The only connection that offers him any hope is his distant daughter, Carly (Lara Peake), whom he hasn't seen or spoken to in over ten years, since the day of his arrest.
"Normally deaf people are portrayed as pitiful characters - as victims - but Brennan is very different. He's assertive." actor Matthew Gurney told the BBC, speaking through an interpreter.
"I was really drawn to that when I read the script and I knew that was a character I wanted to play."
Lara Peake who plays Carly said, “There's so much in Reunion that people can relate to from the relationships and storyline to what it feels like to be isolated from a community and welcomed into a community".
Adding, "To be able to watch a show that is led by deaf actors is incredible and the inclusion of sign language is not seen often enough. It's a real opportunity to learn and become fascinated and immersed in that world”.
Reunion cast
Here's the full cast list for Reunion:
• Matthew Gurney (Name Me Law, Theatre Ad Infinium, Coffee Morning Club) as Daniel Brennan
• Lara Peake (How to Have Sex, Rivals) as Carly, Brennan's estranged daughter
• Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters, The Salisbury Poisonings, Suspect) as Christine
• Eddie Marsan (Back to Black, Ray Donovan) as Stephen Renworth, Christine’s protective boyfriend
• Rose Ayling-Ellis (EastEnders, Code of Slience) as Miri, Christine’s daughter
• Stephen Collins (Dune: Part One) as Sean
• Ace Mahbaz (Small World) as Ray Mokhtar
• Sophie Stone (The Chelsea Detective) as Naomi Brennan
• Olive Gray (Dark Money, Save Me) as Anna Shenford
• Joe Sims (Broadchurch, Ruby Speaking) as Joe Summers
• Julian Peedle-Calloo (Louder Than Words) as Gardner
• Cherie Gordon (Boat Story) as Tasha
• Rinkoo Barpaga (You Don’t Know Me) as Vinay
• James Joseph Boyle (Retreat) as Matthew
• Duffy (Small World) as David
• Joanne Harrison as Brennan’s mum
• David Hirshman (Signs of an Affair) as Brennan’s dad
Two of the main cast members, Anne-Marie Duff and Lara Peake, had to learn sign language for the show and were taught by Brian Duffy, a deaf actor, writer and director in theatre, TV and film.
Writer William Mager said "The way Duffy works is a bit different from a typical BSL teacher – it's about teaching them muscle memory - remembering the correct hand shapes and where the signs originate from, whether it's the nose, the mouth or the chin".
In addition to the deaf cast members, the four-part drama was worked on by a crew that included deaf and hard-of-hearing members; in total, 35+ deaf professionals worked on the project, triple the representation of most dramas.
"It's so important to have those voices behind the camera as well as in front of it – just for those little details that might be missed.
"We have a shortage of deaf people who want to work in crew positions, and a wealth of deaf people who want to be writers, directors and actors."
William is positive that the will highlight opportunities for other deaf people. "Hopefully Reunion has gone some way to showing that other careers are possible."
When can I watch Reunion?
Reunion has a release date of Monday 7th April and will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and walking her three dogs.