Code of Silence viewers blown away as ITV’s ‘genius’ move makes history

Viewers have been blown away by ITV’s commitment to raising awareness (Picture: ITV) Viewers of ITV’s new drama Code of Silence have heaped praise on the broadcaster for a ‘genius’ decision. With Rose Ayling-Ellis, Charlotte Ritchie, and Andrew Buchan among the cast, the crime drama series premiered at 9pm tonight on ITV1. Its plot follows Alison, a deaf caterer working to support herself and her mother, who is also asked by police to help lipread conversations with highly dangerous criminals. Strictly Come Dancing 2021 winner Rose, who was born deaf, takes the lead, with viewers having already lauded her performance with compliments after just one episode. But there was another element of tonight’s premiere that really got people talking, and it wasn’t during the programme itself. Ahead of the show, ITV took to X with a special message. Code of Silence began on ITV1 tonight, starring Rose Ayling-Ellis and Charlotte Ritchie (Picture: ITV) Tonight’s episode of Code of Silence will feature a silent ad break, where all adverts will be signed and/or subtitled and run without sound.📺 Code of Silence starts tonight at 9pm on ITV1. #CodeOfSilence— ITV (@ITV) May 18, 2025 ‘Tonight’s episode of Code of Silence will feature a silent ad break, where all adverts will be signed and/or subtitled and run without sound,’ it read. Indeed, when the adverts started airing, the sound was muted and subtitles appeared before the show resumed. Taking to social media in astonishment, viewers said it was a ‘superb’ way of raising awareness of what life is like for those who are deaf or hearing impaired. ‘ITV turning down the sound for the adverts during #CodeOfSilence and including subtitles and interpreters is a big, big WOW!!!’, wrote @putasinghonit. ‘Bravo @ITV’, tweeted @KDCunliffe. ‘The advert break is genius. So thought provoking.’ ‘Absolute genius move @ITV’, added @hkp074. ‘Great drama so far as the audience has to watch so we don’t miss anything rather than be on our phones. Rose Ayling-Ellis is superb!’ ITV aired an ad break in total silence with subtitles (Picture: ITV) To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video @BritishBC also described the silent ad break as ‘very clever’, while @LolaSpaniel called it ‘such an effective and great idea’. ‘That was a landmark moment in British TV. The first time that a mainstream channel has shown Adverts in complete silence with BSL & Subtitles. I hope this raise much needed awareness within the deaf community through this drama and the silent ads moment’, agreed @RyanSoapKing25. As Code of Silence continues each night this week, viewers are now flocking to ITVX to binge-watch all six episodes. Fans have been impressed by the concept as a whole, given how text is used on screen throughout the episode to show Rose’s character working out the words she is lip-reading. ‘As somebody who lip reads because of a hearing impairment how they are visualising the working out of words and incorporating the uncertainty when some letters/sounds look the same – sooo accurate’, praised @gstevensonsport. During press before Code of Silence’s release, former EastEnders star Rose admitted that it was a ‘terrifying’ challenge to take on, since it is her first lead role. Rose, who was born deaf, was ‘terrified’ of taking on the lead role (Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) ‘I felt the pressure to represent the deaf community well’ (Picture: ITV) On what she was most excited for viewers to see, she told Country & Town House: ‘How hard lipreading is!’ ‘I felt the pressure to represent the deaf community well. But I had to remind myself: this is my dream, and I’ve worked hard for it. I deserve to enjoy it too,’ she added. Charlotte Ritchie: 'I hope my thriller has a legacy like Line of Duty' All Emmerdale cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025 The Chase viewers rage as contestant's 'correct' answer is rejected The Reunion actress also spoke about being part of projects where more deaf characters feature. ‘It’s such an exciting time, and what does this mean for the future? I really hope this isn’t a one-off moment,’ she said. ‘We shouldn’t have to wait years between stories with deaf characters.’ Code of Silence is available to stream on ITVX. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: All Emmerdale cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025 Arrow MORE: The Chase viewers rage as contestant’s ‘correct’ answer is rejected Arrow MORE: ITV announces Lorraine Kelly’s return after she shares health update TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.

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