Anne-Marie Duff is excited that her new project, the revenge thriller Reunion, will be airing on BBC One and available on iPlayer rather than a streaming platform. The series, which highlights the deaf community, will reach a broad audience, not just those who can afford streaming subscriptions.
Duff, who stars as Christine Mokhar, emphasized how important it is to have the series on a public broadcaster. “It’s the BBC, so you know, it’s going to be seen by everyone, not just people who can afford to pay streaming fees,” she said. “Watching TV has become quite an expensive hobby now. And just the idea, always and ever, that what we do can be important and that there’s a point to it, and anyone who feels marginalized gets to see themselves is a huge relief.”
The four-part drama follows Daniel Brennan, played by Matthew Gurney, a deaf man who is released from prison after years of incarceration. His journey for redemption is complicated by his inability to fully integrate into the hearing world while also being rejected by the deaf community. The story explores his strained relationship with his estranged daughter Carly, played by Lara Peake.
Reunion features British Sign Language (BSL) alongside spoken English, making it a bilingual series. It’s produced by Warp Films, the studio behind Adolescence and The Virtues. The show has drawn attention for its inclusive approach, with hearing crew members taught BSL at the start of each filming day, ensuring a more authentic portrayal of the deaf community.
Duff’s co-stars include Eddie Marsan, who plays Stephen Renworth, Christine’s boyfriend, and Rose Ayling-Ellis as Miri Mokhtar, Christine’s daughter. The show was created by William Mager, a Sheffield-born deaf writer, and directed by Luke Snellin.
Duff’s excitement about Reunion stems from its unique ability to give a platform to stories from marginalized communities, offering a fresh perspective to viewers who may otherwise not see themselves reflected on screen.
