Matthew Gurney, Anne-Marie Duff, Eddie Marsan, Lara Peake on BBC Thriller ‘Reunion’: “We Don’t Want to Show Deaf People as Victims”

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As I sat down to read the script for “Reunion,” a sensation washed over me that had been building up for about two decades. It was like finally finding that long-lost collectible I’d been searching for, or stumbling upon an old friend from another era. And when I finished reading it all, I knew I’d found something truly special. That’s how I felt as Matthew Gurney addressed the crowd at London’s BFI Southbank after a screening of the first episode of “Reunion.

A four-part suspenseful drama, featuring Gurney as a deaf man who’s finally released from prison after many years, also stars Lara Peake, Anne-Marie Duff, Eddie Marsan, and Rose Ayling-Ellis. This gripping series was penned by William Mager, a deaf screenwriter from Sheffield, and produced by Warp Films, the production company responsible for the popular Netflix drama Adolescence. Being bilingual, this series is filmed in and around Sheffield, incorporating both British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English.

Beginning next Monday, the BBC will debut the show on their network. Following this, BBC Studios plans to market and sell the entire series worldwide, having revealed a collection of images related to the production back in February.

The movie, titled “Reunion,” which we had a chance to peek into last year during its filming process, showcasing aspects like crew members learning British Sign Language at the beginning of each shooting day, is a thriller focusing on redemption. It chronicles the story of Daniel Brennan, portrayed by Gurney (also known as Lawand), a former prisoner who is deaf and seeks justice after his release. Straddling two societies, he finds himself struggling to fit into the hearing world and also being rejected by his closest friends and the larger deaf community.>

In this solitary setting, Brennan primarily cherishes his strained bond with his long-lost daughter Carly, portrayed by Lara Peake (known for ‘How to Have Sex’ and ‘Rivals’). Since his imprisonment a decade ago, they have not communicated. Anne-Marie Duff (recognized from ‘Bad Sisters’ and ‘The Salisbury Poisonings’) takes on the role of Christine, who is determined to locate Brennan and uncover the truth about his past crimes. Eddie Marsan (famous for ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Ray Donovan’) stars as Stephen Renworth, Christine’s caring partner, while Rose Ayling-Ellis (acclaimed in ‘Summer of Rockets’ and ‘As You Like It’) plays their daughter, Miri.

In the making of Reunion, Luke Snellin (known for films like One Day and Wanderlust) took on the role of both director and executive producer, while Helen Ostler (renowned for shows such as The Last Kingdom and Crime) served as the show’s producer. Siobhan Morgan (known for productions like Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks) was listed as associate producer. Mark Herbert (famous for productions like Four Lions, The Virtues, and This Is England) and Gwen Gorst (known for shows such as Unforgotten and A Discovery of Witches) served as executive producers for Warp Films. The BBC had creator and writer Mager, along with Rebecca Ferguson and Jo McClellan, in the executive producer roles.

As a gamer, I’m passionate about representing diversity accurately. During our recent panel, I made it clear that we don’t want to portray deaf individuals as victims. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and it’s time this was reflected in our games. And let me tell you, the script penned by a fellow deaf writer is a masterpiece – I couldn’t help but admire it!

Moreover, they stressed that “This program isn’t solely focused on being deaf; it encompasses a multitude of viewpoints.” They explained that “[the program] caters to both communities and requires us to interact with various individuals, whether they’re deaf or hearing.” They added that “[the program] portrays two distinct worlds,” and their character serves as a bridge connecting these diverse communities.

Ayling-Ellis praised Mager’s work: “What drew me into the project were those subtle details that only a deaf writer could understand,” she mentioned. One example is a scene depicting a prison loudspeaker used to announce inmates, which, naturally, holds no significance for deaf prisoners. She found this “depiction of deaf culture within the script” intriguing. Additionally, she appreciated that the series had a significant number of deaf team members and actors on board, making it more than just one deaf actor.

Marsan not only praised Mager’s exceptional script and Warp as a top-tier production company he’s collaborated with for years, but also highlighted the show’s commitment to providing significant roles to deaf actors. He expressed his delight working with a bilingual team, finding it incredibly intriguing. In his words, “Filmmaking is a collaborative process, but this was on a whole new level of collaboration. It was spiritually uplifting each day.

And he lauded Gurney. “Matty is like a Marlon Brando,” Marsan said. “He is so charismatic.”

Apart from sharing her reasons for choosing the film “Reunion”, Duff stated, “Whenever you read any script, be it a play or a screenplay, if it captivates you without interruption and prevents you from taking a tea break, then you know it’s exceptional. The writing was so compelling that it was an easy decision to be involved.

Peake concurred, emphasizing the diverse learning experiences the series offered, not just limited to working with an exceptional cast. “This was a genuine chance for personal growth and exposure to something beyond my usual realm,” she expressed. “I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge.

She and Gurney developed a strong connection very quickly. The actor remembered introducing Peake to a deaf club so she could fully engage in the environment. From that point on, “we became inseparable,” he said, smiling.

Ayling-Ellis shared that the hearing actors grasped British Sign Language (BSL) astonishingly fast, demonstrating a natural aptitude for it.

Duff expressed his observation that when he signed, “The connection between heartfelt communication and physicality became incredibly apparent to me. … Everything seemed intertwined so naturally. … It all clicked into place surprisingly fast.

Later on, Marsan chuckled as he reminisced about remembering how to sign a specific phrase even after the filming of Reunion had finished. “I collaborated with Matty again,” he shared. “We worked together in Ireland, and when we met up, I signed this – which translates to: ‘What’s going on, buddy?’

As a gamer, I’ve just wrapped up binge-watching “Reunion,” and let me tell you, the cast left a powerful impact on me. They expressed their desire for increased representation of deaf individuals in TV and film, both in front and behind the camera. In my gaming life, I’ve collaborated with deaf teammates, and I can vouch for their talent and potential. I am rooting for more agents to bring aboard deaf actors and crew members. Here’s hoping that the industry evolves and offers them more opportunities in the future.

Marsan expressed his surprise: “Why do people always watch those Scandinavian detective shows? What sets them apart!?” To which Duff responded: “Sign language is simply the same as spoken language, but in a physical form. I agree with Eddie that it’s an excellent thriller, and we want to connect with and care for the main character… And Billy has created two outstanding roles for young women, and they’re not just sentimental.

Peake expressed: “I sincerely wish that individuals will develop an interest in learning British Sign Language after viewing the program.” He added, “It’s incredibly visual. To me, it’s not just a language; it feels like an artistic expression, so I hope its charm is infectious.

As a passionate gamer, I’m thrilled to share that in creating Reunion, I aspire to break down barriers for my deaf community friends and ensure its success is long-lasting.

Regarding his approach to the thriller series, he highlighted: “I refused to portray magic when it comes to lip-reading scenes involving deaf characters from an astronomical distance.” This was crucial because, as he explained, “Reunion is centered around communication.” In this story, everyone struggles with expressing the truth and honesty. Whether they’re deaf or hearing, they all face communication difficulties.

It’s only when two deaf individuals are communicating through sign language that true interaction occurs. I believe there’s a beautiful, subtle implication in that. Essentially, if we allow the deaf community to manage their own interactions, they can take care of themselves effectively.

The remark prompted hearty laughter and approval from the spectators. Furthermore, when Mager spoke about his initial thoughts while penning “Reunion“, he candidly admitted, “I wrote it for myself. This script served as my ‘take that’ piece. I wrote it for myself, to myself.” He continued, “I merely desired to create something I would enjoy watching. However, the first draft consisted of a deaf man alone with a gun, going on a shooting spree. Upon discussing this with my wife, she suggested, ‘That sounds fantastic! It seems like self-indulgence. Why don’t we add a bit more depth to it?’ Thus, I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife. Thank you, my most critical ally.

Reading that script, I couldn’t help but feel energized, thinking: “We need to bring this to life! Let’s secure the rights and get started!” That’s how I remember reacting to those game-changing words.

He described filming ‘Reunion’ as having a feel similar to an urban western. Director Snellin agreed, labeling it a modern take on a western noir. When Mager read the script, he felt it was unique and unlike anything he had ever encountered before. He appreciated the opportunity to explore a story told from the perspective of a deaf character.

Snellin found incorporating British Sign Language (BSL) in storytelling appealing. “When I began learning,” he admitted about his initial experience using BSL, “I was making a lot of mistakes.” He continued to practice with Matty and would say, “That was a good performance, but next time, let’s add a little more emotion.” Interestingly, when expressing ’emotion’, he would sign it as a single tear or something resembling a tear. However, this was not the correct way to do it at all.

However, the team from Reunion created a unique sign that represented Snellin’s name. The director shared that this sign also means ‘wrong’, eliciting laughter, but then became emotional. “It was a great honor for me to receive a sign name,” he said. “A sign name is deeply significant in deaf culture, and having one made me feel truly welcomed into the deaf community.

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2025-04-04 12:55