ITV has confirmed that production has commenced on the second series of its crime drama Code of Silence. Actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis will be returning as the lead character Alison Brooks.
Bafta-winning drama returns with new case
The Bafta-winning series received critical acclaim for its innovation, emotional depth, and genuine portrayal of the deaf community when it first aired in spring 2025. Reviewers praised the programme as "a landmark moment for inclusion and representation" and "the must-watch thriller of the year", with Ayling-Ellis' portrayal earning particularly high praise.
After the triumph of its inaugural series, the six-part thriller is back with a fresh, compelling case as creator and writer Catherine Moulton continues examining the worlds of crime, communication, and representation.
Returning and new cast members
Ayling-Ellis will be reunited with returning cast members Andrew Buchan (Black Doves, Passenger), award-winning comedian and actor John Bishop (Doctor Who, The Accused), Nathan Armarkwei Laryea (The Witcher, Doctor Who), and Fifi Garfield (Coffee Morning Club, Deaf Funny).
Joining the cast will be Jonah Hauer-King (A House of Dynamite, The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Jo Joyner (Little Disasters, Ackley Bridge), Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey, The Gallows Pole), John Hollingworth (Poldark, The Crown), Sasha Desouza-Willock (Vengeance: Murder on the Heath, London Kills), and Emily Head (Whitstable Pearl, The Inbetweeners).
Alison's new role and representation commitment
The series will pick up two years later with Alison finishing her forensic lip-reading training with the police and being summoned to support a critical surveillance operation involving Ruby Dowling (Emily Head), a woman embroiled in an elaborate money-laundering network.
ITV has said the second series will maintain the show's dedication to genuine representation both before and behind the camera, showcasing a diverse ensemble and production team that encompasses talent from deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse backgrounds.
Ayling-Ellis, who also works as one of the executive producers on the series, 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."
Catherine Moulton added: "I'm thrilled to be bringing Alison back for a second series. Now she's officially part of the police team she's keen to make her mark. Faced with her first murder investigation she struggles to balance her determination to uncover the killer with the limits of her new police role. But blurred boundaries lead to divided loyalties and her detective's instincts, combined with her unique skill as a lip reader and close attention to detail, tell her there's so much more to this case than meets the eye."
