People assume communication is just listening and speaking... there is so much more depth to it

ROSE AYLING-ELLIS AND HER CO-STARS DISCUSS THE JOY OF MAKING A SHOW THAT CHAMPIONS LIP READERS, WITH NEW ITV CRIME DRAMA CODE OF SILENCE.

- BY ELLA WALKER

Alison, meanwhile is "in no way experienced to do this" and his character, DI Marsh, is a "very blunt, mono-maniacal, driven, impatient," boss, who is recklessly "enlisting the help of this complete wildcard who could derail the whole thing".

Andrew says working on the show was "definitely one of the most enlightening, fantastic jobs I've ever done, without question".

The show has been created by Charlotte Moulton (Baptiste, Hijack) who has experience of lip-reading and hearing loss herself, and for star Charlotte Ritchie, the way clear communication was paramount on set made filming a real joy.

"TV sets can be a bit fast paced, can get a bit impersonal, and you can rush past people in the morning and maybe not take the time to communicate and check in," she explains.

"With this production, there was such an emphasis on really looking at people, really making sure that people had understood.

"The more that that's possible, the nicer the set feels, and the more people are able to take a breath to work in a way that feels expansive.

"It just puts communication right at the forefront."

She said this feeling was largely down to Rose, who "did a really amazing job - because she didn't have to - but she made so much space for everybody to do that.