ITV has confirmed that the second series of its BAFTA-winning thriller Code of Silence is officially in production, with former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis reprising her role as Alison Brooks.
Returning alongside Ayling-Ellis are Andrew Buchan, John Bishop, Nathan Armarkwei Laryea and Fifi Garfield. The six-episode series picks up two years from where the first series left off.
New Case and Cast
Having completed her forensic lip-reading training with the police, Alison is called upon to assist a high-stakes surveillance operation involving a woman named Ruby Dowling (Emily Head), who is caught up in a sophisticated money-laundering syndicate.
A synopsis reads: "After being arrested when illicit cash is discovered hidden in her car, Ruby is released on bail back into a dangerous world where she finds herself trapped between police scrutiny and ruthless criminals."
"When she becomes the victim of a brutal attack, DI James Marsh (Andrew Buchan) and his team – DS Daniel Henshaw (Jonah Hauer-King), DS Ben Lawford (Nathan Armarkwei Laryea) and DC Lizzie Silver (Sasha Desouza-Willock) – are left searching for answers."
As Alison uses her unique expertise to decode vital CCTV footage, she becomes crucial to the investigation. However, things take a disturbing turn when hidden secrets begin to emerge and threats close to home are revealed.
The description continues: "With loyalties tested, trust beginning to unravel and dangerous criminals closing in, Alison discovers that uncovering the truth may come at a devastating personal cost – and could make her the next target."
Returning Star and New Faces
Speaking about returning to the series, Rose Ayling-Ellis said: "I am so happy to be back on set with the brilliant cast and crew that made working on the first series such a delight, and I'm looking forward to welcoming new members of the team too."
New faces joining the cast include EastEnders alumni Jo Joyner, Downton Abbey's Sophie McShera and Poldark's John Hollingworth, as well as Jonah Hauer-King and Emily Head.
Critical and Audience Praise
When the first series of Code of Silence was released, it earned widespread praise for its originality, emotional impact and authentic representation of the Deaf community. The full box set of series one generated more than 20 million streams and won a BAFTA in 2026 for Best Drama Series.
One viewer said online: "Code of Silence is an excellent series, if you haven't seen it yet, I'd urge you to make some time and binge-watch it, it's gripping, must-watch TV. It's important and amazing that we're seeing more deaf actors having central roles."
Another wrote: "The acting in this series is second to none. You wouldn't think a deaf girl helping police would be exciting, but this show is edge-of-the-seat suspense. Yes, her ability to read lips is a kind of superpower, but the show is so much more."
A third commented: "Brilliant and nail-biting. This was a great show, I've watched all 6 now and loved it. Rose is a brilliant actress, and I hope to see her in more dramas. I'd not seen Kieron before, but he was fab! It was great to see Joe Absolom in something new, too!"
The first series of Code of Silence is available to watch on ITVX.
