Cliff Notes – I’m the Deaf star of BBC’s revenge thriller – I’m not a victim
- Innovative Representation: "Reunion" challenges stereotypes of Deaf characters in media, presenting Daniel Brennan as a complex individual on a personal journey rather than a victim.
- Bilingual Format: The series is notable for its dual-language approach, incorporating both English and British Sign Language, enhancing accessibility and representation.
- Emphasis on Humanity: The show intertwines themes of revenge with deeper explorations of family dynamics, communication, and connection, aiming to portray Deaf individuals as relatable and multifaceted.
I’m the Deaf star of BBC’s revenge thriller – I’m not a victim
BBC’s new thriller, Reunion, follows a newly-released murder convict Daniel Brennan (Matthew Gurney) in his pursuit of vengeance.
The dual-language drama, told in English and British Sign Language, was created by William Mager features an ensemble cast starring Rose Ayling-Ellis, Anne-Marie Duff, Eddie Marsan and Lara Peake.
And, as Matthew tells Metro in a new interview, the show is pushing the boundaries of what Deaf representation looks like in mainstream media with a ‘fast-paced’ plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
As the official synopsis explains, we meet Daniel, a deaf man determined to right his wrongs while unravelling the truth behind the events that led him to prison.
‘Unable to fully integrate with the hearing world and shunned by the deaf community’, he reunites with his estranged daughter Carly (Lara) while the wife of his victim, Christine (Anne-Marie,) desperately searches for answers as to why Daniel killed her husband.
‘Obviously, Brennan’s a deaf character, and he’s very different from the stereotypes that we’ve had in other programs or films, where it’s all very patronising, “oh the community”,’ he shared in a mocking tone.
Reunion is BBC’s new bilingual revenge thriller that will leave your heart pounding (Picture: BBC)
The lead star continued: ‘This isn’t about that at all. He’s just a man who happens to be deaf, and he’s on his own journey and that really hooked me. If he was a victim, I wouldn’t have auditioned for him as a part for me but it was a really exciting character to play.’
And there were plenty of ways in which Matthew related to the character, especially through Daniel’s isolation from society.
‘When I left school, I left a Deaf school where I was taught in sign language.
‘I was in the real world, and I realised that no one signed – not as many as I thought. I was in my own little bubble at school. Everybody signed. And then when I left, I was like, “wow”.
‘So that gives me empathy. I’ve struggled. It took a long time to realise what the world is like outside of our community,’ he said.
The balance the show strikes between the issues facing the Deaf community and maintaining the thriller aspect at the heart of it has been praised by Lara.
‘There’s a huge amount of humanity in [this series]. This need to communicate and understand one another and want answers. It’s not just a cold-hearted revenge story where somebody’s getting whoever it is they need.
The series explores the complicated father-daughter dynamic between Carly and Daniel (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/P)
‘It’s about connection and relationships and forgiveness. So I think it’s really beautiful that it’s got all these different layers, as well as the heart of it – this driving force of the revenge story,’ she said.
Matthew had several conversations with the director Luke about the ‘aim for Reunion’ and making it different to how hard-of-hearing people are typically portrayed on screen.
Something he believes this show achieves.
‘I think the audience will see deaf people as hearing people, as humans on a journey where things happen. We’re not just tokenistically put into a story, we have loads to tell, and it can happen to anyone.
‘It happened to Brennan, and the focus is on his journey, and I hope the audience will focus on that, rather than the fact that he’s a sign language user and he’s deaf. It’s not about that, really.’
‘We’re not invisible,’ he said. ‘We are here. We’re just maybe not seen as much.’
One element that showcased that to Matthew was during the physical fight scenes he had in prison.
‘[At one point] I was threatened with something in my eye. Rarely as deaf actors do we get the opportunity for doing combat. Most deaf people are on Casualty or Holby City as victims in a bed.
There are several action scenes for viewers to dig their teeth into (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/Nick Eagle)
‘It was good for me, because I’d always wanted to do that, be a stuntman. It’s like, “Finally, it’s my time.” I’ve been waiting for this for so long.’
During another altercation in the show, Daniel accidentally whacks Miri in the face, an incident that requires an immense level of trust and intuition between the actors, as the Strictly winner explained.
‘Matthew is deaf so he can’t hear me when I’m behind him. We had to be extremely safe. I had to put my hand on his back to make sure he knew I’m there and he had to do that [whack his arm back] and hope for the best. Each time he got so close but he never [actually hit me],’ she said.
Although she added that at the stunt had been so realistic that Luke and the crew had been genuinely concerned she was hurt before being quickly reassured.
The diversity of the set, both in front and behind the camera, made this job unlike any of the others Rose has been on.
She said: ‘I always have to do the extra work but in this one I didn’t, I literally just came and played the character. That’s never really happened for me before. And having so many deaf crew, it was like I don’t have to explain it, I literally just have to perform.’
And there was nothing she loved more than having the opportunity to play the Bad Sisters’ star’s daughter.
Anne-Marie Duff and Rose Ayling-Ellis had lovely chemistry on set as a grieving mother and daughter (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/P)
Especially during one scene in the second episode, when Miri has a tender conversation with Christine reflecting on her late father’s legacy.
Anne-Marie recalled: ‘When we filmed that scene, it was very beautiful, it was really interesting. The set was very quiet. Everyone was very focused. And Luke came in and sat there with us while we were filming it. He wasn’t looking at a monitor, [he was] watching us.’
As for what other production companies can learn from Reunion on how to implement inclusive storytelling from script to screen – there’s no excuse, said Anne-Marie.
She continued: ‘When do we ever turn on an advert and see anybody who isn’t able-bodied or hearing. I’ve never seen an advert when somebody’s signing, it’s just never there. So it’s really important that we start to say, “this is another English language”.’
Meanwhile, Rose reflected that inclusivity on screen must go beyond the brief period the Paralympics are on TV.
She added: ‘It’s not that difficult. Also not having a fear of getting things wrong. No one is being malicious, it’s just a lack of knowledge. Feeling like “oh this is not my place I’m not going to do it”. No do it! It’s okay.’
There’s ‘no excuse’ to not make show’s as inclusive as possible – across the TV landscape (Picture: BBC/Warp Films/P)
The Doctor Who actor later added: ‘We have seen many times in the past, a non-disabled person playing a disabled character. That should finish now.
‘And all the people that say, “Oh, well, that’s the whole point of acting.” Okay. I don’t get to act like a hearing person. Do I ever get a cast as the hearing person? No. That’s my role.’
Ultimately, viewers should tune in for a thrilling time and get ready to be sucked into a wild world of revenge, murder and chaotic family dynamics.
As Matthew shared: ‘It’s completely different from other deaf programs you’ve seen like Coda, Sound of Metal. Those like portrait frame shots. These are really dynamic shots.
‘This is what I want audiences to see, that we’re just normal, rather than just “we have to get the sign language in the shot”. No, it’s just fast-paced. It’s moving.’
Reunion starts on BBC One on April 7.