The latest ITV drama 'Code of Silence' has sparked a lively debate among critics, with some praising its innovative approach while others find it slow. The series, starring Rose Ayling-Ellis, follows a deaf waitress in a police canteen who uses her lip-reading abilities to aid an investigation into a violent criminal gang.
Scott Bryan, reviewing for the Must Watch podcast, described the show as a 'must watch'. He highlighted the unique perspective it offers, with subtitles appearing on screen to show the protagonist's mental process as she deciphers conversations from across the room. 'I quite like the fact that she's trying to work it out at the same time as you,' he said, noting that the show avoids predictable plot twists.
However, Hayley Campbell disagreed, calling it 'not a must watch' for her. While she praised Ayling-Ellis's performance and the show's representation of the deaf community, she found the pacing slow. 'The first one was such a slog for me. I was checking how much longer I had to go at 25 minutes in,' she admitted, though she noted later episodes pick up in tension.
Both critics acknowledged the show's fresh angle on a saturated genre. Bryan appreciated that it 'does not let that be the primary focus, the primary focus being just a good thriller'. Campbell echoed this, saying it tells a 'different story with a character I don't think we've ever seen before'. The series airs on ITV1.
