Reunion on BBC One: Cast of bilingual BSL thriller includes deaf actors Matthew Gurney and Rose Ayling-Ellis
By Helen Fear | Wed Apr 02 2025Reunion is described as an "emotional thriller of revenge and redemption", and it has a cast to die for - including TV favourites Anne-Marie Duff, Eddie Marsan, and Rose Ayling-Ellis.
The epic revenge thriller is a bilingual series, written by Sheffield-born deaf writer William Mager, following the journey of Daniel Brennan after he is released from prison.
It's made by the producers of critically-acclaimed Netflix series Adolescence.
Here's a full rundown of who plays who in the cast of Reunion on BBC One, and where you've seen them before...
Deaf actor Matthew Gurney stars as former convict Daniel Brennan
Matthew Gurney leads the cast as deaf ex-convict Daniel Brennan, a man seeking revenge after losing 10 years of his life to a prison sentence. Daniel is a deaf man "determined to right his wrongs" while unravelling the truth behind the events that led him to prison.
This is deaf actor Matthew's first leading role in a primetime show on the BBC. He's previously known for playing Adam in Switch, a British signed soap opera, following the lives of deaf people.
He won the Best Actor award at Deaffest 2017 for his role of Mitch the plumber in the deaf sitcom Small World.
On stage, the Oxford-born actor portrayed Berowne in the production of Love's Labour's Lost (performed in British Sign Language).
Reunion is a bilingual series which features both British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English.
Talking about the series, Matthew Gurney said: "Reunion is an amazing storyline and is completely different from my previous work. My character Brennan is on a wildly different journey than that portrayed by normal deaf lives, this portrays a man who is hated within the deaf community."
He added: "It shows how deaf people react and act on screen in an honest and authentic way. We are different to hearing actors, we are so much more visual storytellers. It's not about relying on sound, it’s about using your eyes and seeing what is going on in the story."
Anne-Marie Duff plays Christine in the cast of Reunion on BBC One
London-born Anne-Marie Duff, 54, portrays Christine in the cast of Reunion. Christine is the wife of the man Brennan is said to have killed. After his release, she becomes desperate to find Brennan and get to the full truth behind what he did.
Anne-Marie learned British Sign Language (BSL) for her role in the show, having undergone intensive training.
These days, the actress is probably most famous for playing Grace 'Mammy' Williams in Bad Sisters. Grace was the long-suffering wife of abusive husband John Paul, whose death was the central plot of series 1.
Before that, Anne-Marie was best known for portraying Fiona Gallagher in Shameless, a role she played from 2004 to 2013 on and off. The Channel 4 is also where she met her now ex-husband James McAvoy, with whom she had one child.
Other early roles include Sheila in 1998's period drama Amongst Women, Lady Louisa in Aristocrats, Georgiana Longestaffe in The Way We Live Now, and Holly in Dawn French comedy Wild West.
Between 2005 and 2006, Anne-Marie Duff portrayed Queen Elizabeth I in TV mini-series The Virgin Queen, opposite Shetland's Ian Hart. She went on to play Edith Duchemin in Parade's End, Claire Church in From Darkness, Ma Costa in His Dark Materials, and Tracy Daszkiewicz in The Salisbury Poisonings.
More recently, the brilliant actress has played Erin Wiley in Sex Education, and Susannah in C4's Suspect. As well as numerous acclaimed theatre performances, Anne-Marie has been in multiple films, too. These include On Chesil Beach, Suffragette, Before I Go to Sleep, Nowhere Boy, Notes on a Scandal, Enigma, and The Magdalene Sisters.
Eddie Marsan stars as Stephen Renworth
The always compellingly watchable Eddie Marsan, 56, portrays Stephen Renworth in the cast of Reunion on BBC One. Stephen is a former cop and Christine's protective boyfriend. But quite quickly, viewers will begin to suspect all is not as it seems with the character.
Eddie is most famous for playing John Darwin in The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, Terry in Ray Donovan, and Mr Norrell in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. He's found success both in the UK and the US.
London-born Eddie has been on our screens for nearly 50 years, having started as a teenager in the 1987 film Empire State. Having popped up in episodes of EastEnders, The Bill, Grange Hill, and Casualty, he went on to play the leading role of Brian Clapton in the sitcom Get Well Soon.
In 2008, Eddie played Pancks in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit, before going on to portray Saul in Criminal Justice, Thomas Cream in River, Arwel in The Pact, Soly Malinovsky in Ridley Road, and Professor Paul Britton in Deceit opposite Playing Nice's Niamh Algar.
More recently, he's starred as Bernie Monke in The Power, John Adams in Franklin, Ray in Supacell, and Geoff Young in Heartstopper.
One of our most versatile actors, he's also been on dozens of films, including Vera Drake, Happy-Go-Lucky, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Gentlemen, War Horse, and The World's End. He recently played Amy Winehouse's dad Mitch in the film Back to Black.
Rose Ayling-Ellis plays Christine's daughter Miri
Kent-born actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, 30, portrays Christine's daughter Miri in the cast of Reunion on BBC One. Miri returns to Sheffield from university in London, only to discover her dad's killer has been released from jail.
EastEnders fans will know Rose for playing Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap from 2020 to 2022. Frankie arrived in the Square as a friend to Ben Mitchell. Rose was the first deaf actor to play a regular deaf character on the show.
During her time in Walford, she was at the centre of some big storylines. She discovered she was the daughter of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), who unknowingly fathered her after he was abused as a child by her mother.
Other notable TV roles include Bianca Sinclair in Casualty, and Esther in Keeley Hawes drama Summer of Rockets.
Of course, Rose also won the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice in 2021. At the time, she was the programme's first deaf contestant.
More recently, Rose portrayed Catherine in an episode of Murder, They Hope, and Ms Freya Chordwell in Ludwig. She will soon appear in Code of Silence in a "groundbreaking role".
Lara Peake plays Carly in Reunion cast
Nottingham-born actress Lara Peake, 26, plays Daniel's estranged daughter Carly. Like co-star Anne-Marie Duff, Lara learned British Sign Language (BSL) for her role in the show.
A relative newcomer compared to some of her co-stars, she's been on our screens since 2014 when she appeared in the film Bypass playing Helen.
She's since played Chrissy in 2017's Channel 4 drama Born to Kill, Betsy Cronshaw in The English Game, and Madysun in Brave New World.
Lara is perhaps best known for playing another Carly, this time in comedy Mood, which first aired in 2022. The series was renewed for a second run, which should be landing any day now.
More recently, she portrayed Daysee Butler in the cast of Rivals on Disney+.
Talking about the series, Lara said: "There's so much in Reunion that people can relate to, from the relationships and storyline to what it feels like to be isolated from a community and welcomed into a community.
"To be able to watch a show that is led by deaf actors is incredible and the inclusion of sign language is not seen often enough. It's a real opportunity to learn and become fascinated and immersed in that world."
Joe Sims stars as Joe Summers
Bristol-born Joe Sims portrays Joe Summers, who works alongside parole officer Anna Shenforth.
The actor, 44, is probably most recognisable for playing plumber Nige Carter in ITV crime drama Broadchurch, a role he portrayed between 2013 and 2017. He was one of the main suspects in the murder of young Danny Latimer.
Joe went on to star as Geoff in Netflix Original Free Rein, Tom in the call centre comedy Ruby Speaking, opposite Katherine Kelly, and Amorous in Renegade Nell.
Other notable roles include Vincent Tabak in The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, Greff in Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, and Dean in Joe All Alone.
Joe is also known for lending his voice to several high-profile characters, including Mark Seven in Doctor Who, and Fletch in Chuggington. The actor has also popped up in episodes of TV series, including Casualty, Father Brown, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, and Agatha Raisin.
Olive Gray plays parole officer Anna Shenforth
London-born actress Olive Gray, 30, stars as Daniel's parole officer Anna Shenforth. The character makes a rather embarrassing blunder in the first episode.
Olive started her career playing Alice in the children's drama The Story of Tracy Beaker, and went on to play Bernadette in EastEnders - not bad for her first ever TV roles!
In 2009, the actress starred as Mia Stone in children's crime drama Half Moon Investigations. A few years later, Olive popped up as an extra in an episode of Fleabag, before she went on to play Anna in Uncle, Jess in Year Million, and Petra Dillon in Home from Home.
Other notable roles include Kate in Sex Education, Helen in Pure, Jess Mensah in Jill Halfpenny drama Dark Money, and Grace in Save Me.
However, Olive is probably most famous for playing Dr Miranda Keyes in Halo, a role she played from 2022 to 2024. More recently, she starred as Amber in Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story.
Who else is in the cast of Reunion on BBC One?
Robert Rhodes stars as Dexter, the thug who threatens Carly in episode one, because she owes him money. The actor was born with a large facial birthmark as a result of congenital melanocytic nevus and was left with scarring following multiple surgeries to remove it as a child.
Daniel Boyarsky portrays Perkins. Daniel is best known for playing Johnny 'Hutch' Hutchinson in Cilla. He's also appeared in Downton Abbey, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Casualty.
Jonas Khan is Sajaad in the cast of Reunion on BBC One. He played Zain Randeri in Hollyoaks between 2022 and 2024. Jonas also portrayed Dr. Rajan Rayat in The Ipcress File, Jayesh Kapoor in The Good Karma Hospital, and Leon Sharma in Doctors.
Emilia Holliday stars as a young Carly. She recently played Jamie Miller's victim Katie Leonard in Adolescence. The young actress is the girl who sang during emotional scenes at the end of episode 2.
Adrian Hood portrays the cafe owner where Carly works. Adrian is probably best known for playing Lloydy in All Quiet on the Preston Front, and Norman in Dinnerladies.
Sophie Stone stars as Daniel Brennan's wife Naomi. The actress is known for Ashley Wilton in The Chelsea Detective. Other notable roles include Julie in Aisling Bea comedy This Way Up, Jo Halley in Shetland, and Laura in Small World.
Michael Culkin plays Hawthorne Park School's former head teacher Jim Monroe. Largely a theatre actor, Michael's best known TV roles include Dr Clive Ardath in Impact Winter, Rab Butler in The Crown, Horace Treneglos in Poldark, and Jacopo Pazzi in Da Vinci's Demons. He also portrayed Judge Buller in Garrow's Law from 2009 to 2011.
Reunion on BBC One full cast list:
Matthew Gurney stars as Daniel Brennan.
Lara Peake plays Carly Brennan.
Anne-Marie Duff is Christine Mokhtar.
Eddie Marsan is Stephen Renworth.
Rose Ayling-Ellis portrays Miri Mokhtar.
Olive Gray stars as Anna Shenforth.
Daniel Boyarsky portrays Perkins.
Joe Sims portrays Joe Summers.
Olive Gray plays Anna Shenforth.
Jonas Khan is Sajaad.
Robert Rhodes stars as Dexter.
Emilia Holliday stars as a young Carly.
Adrian Hood portrays the cafe owner where Carly works.
Sophie Stone stars as Daniel Brennan's wife Naomi.
Michael Culkin plays Jim Monroe.
Profoundly deaf actor Rinkoo Barpaga portrays Vinay in his first significant TV role.
Stephen Collins - Luke MacMillan in Doctors - plays Sean.
Small World star Ace Mahbaz plays Ray Mokhtar.
Vampire Academy's Sophie Allen plays Danni.
Cherie Gordon - Anya Wells in Boat Story - stars as Tasha.
Newcomer James Joseph Boyle is Matthew.
Charles Humphreys - aka Trevon in The Betrayal - plays thug Lawrence.
Newcomer David House stars as Watson.
Newcomer Ray L Nicholas plays Wilkins.
Nate Holdsworth is a young Brennan in his first TV role.
Oliver Miller is a young Ray in his first TV role.
Sienna Atkinson plays a young Miri in her first TV role.
The Fingerspellers actor David Hirshman, who is also deaf - is Brennan's dad.
Deaf actress Joanne Harrison plays Brennan's mum. A relative newcomer to TV, she previously played a nurse in They Nest.
Seagull actor Adam Radcliffe is a prison officer.
