Code of Silence ITV made waves last night when ITV premiered its new drama starring former Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis. The show follows Rose as a deaf canteen worker at a police station who is called upon to assist as an emergency lip reader during an investigation.
Code of Silence ITV Creates a Groundbreaking Moment on TV
ITV shocked viewers with a bold move during the commercial breaks of Code of Silence ITV — they completely muted the sound. This unprecedented decision gave audiences a glimpse into the world of deaf viewers by running silent ads that featured only British Sign Language and subtitles.
Before the episode aired, ITV announced on X that the ad breaks would have no audio, offering a unique experience to highlight the challenges faced by those with hearing impairments.
Audiences quickly praised this landmark moment in British television. Many took to social media to commend the channel for raising awareness about deafness and accessibility through the drama and its silent advertisements.
Rose Ayling-Ellis, a passionate advocate for the deaf community, has also brought attention to this cause through her documentary teaching British Sign Language. The silent ad break during Code of Silence ITV is another important step toward better representation and understanding of disabled talent in the TV industry.
