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Reunion: All we know About the Gripping Thriller Exploring a deaf man’s Quest for Redemption & Truth
The BBC has just unveiled the gripping first trailer for Reunion, a new revenge thriller set to shake up the crime drama landscape. This groundbreaking series follows Daniel Brennan, a deaf man on a relentless quest for justice, blending tension, emotion, and a unique bilingual approach with British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English.
Created by Sheffield-born deaf writer William Mager, Reunion is more than just a thriller—it's a milestone in inclusive storytelling, featuring a predominantly deaf cast and crew. Filmed in and around Sheffield, the show promises a deeply personal and authentic narrative, tackling themes of revenge, redemption, and long-buried secrets.
From the stellar performances to its unique storytelling approach, Reunion is shaping up to be a must-watch drama. But what mysteries lie ahead for Daniel Brennan? And how will his search for the truth unfold? Get ready to dive into everything we know about Reunion, and stay tuned as we keep updating you with the latest details!
Release date & Where to Watch
Reunion premieres on BBC One on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 9 p.m., with episodes airing weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays. For those who prefer to binge-watch, all four episodes will be available to stream as a boxset on BBC iPlayer from 6 a.m. the same day.
What is the plot of Reunion?
Reunion is an emotional thriller of revenge and redemption, following Daniel Brennan, a deaf man recently released from prison. Determined to right his wrongs, Brennan sets out to uncover the truth about the events that led to his incarceration. However, his return is met with hostility—shunned by his former friends and the wider deaf community, he struggles to find his place in the world.
Amidst his isolation, the only connection Brennan holds onto is with his estranged daughter, Carly, whom he hasn’t seen in over a decade. Meanwhile, Christine and her protective boyfriend, Stephen Renworth, are desperate to find Brennan and uncover the full truth behind his crime. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Brennan must navigate a dangerous path between redemption and retribution.
Reunion explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and the search for justice in a world that refuses to forgive.
Who’s Starring in Reunion?
- Matthew Gurney (Name Me Lawand, Theatre Ad Infinitum) as Daniel Brennan
Matthew Gurney shared his excitement with BBC about the project, stating, "Reunion is an amazing storyline and is completely different from my previous work." Speaking about his role, he added, "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."
Highlighting the importance of representation, Gurney emphasized, "It shows how deaf people react and act on screen in an honest and authentic way." He further explained, "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."
- Lara Peake (How to Have Sex, Rivals) as Carly
Lara Peake shared her thoughts on Reunion, stating, “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." (via BBC)
She also highlighted the show's significance, adding, "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.”
- Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters, The Salisbury Poisonings) as Christine
Anne-Marie Duff shared her excitement about joining the production, stating, "I'm genuinely thrilled to be a part of this very exciting production." She highlighted the show's unique perspective, adding, "It's rare to witness a narrative where the audience is taken on a journey with a very different set of senses. It’s about our need to acknowledge each other’s truths—both inside our own families and beyond." (via whattowatch)
Expressing her admiration for the team, she concluded, "The team is so extraordinary. I feel very honoured to be rubbing shoulders with them."
- Eddie Marsan (Back to Black, Ray Donovan) as Stephen Renworth
- Rose Ayling-Ellis (Summer of Rockets, As You Like It) as Miri
- Stephen Collins (Dune: Part One) as Sean
- Ace Mahbaz (Small World) as Ray Mokhtar
- Sophie Stone (The Chelsea Detective) as Naomi Brennan
- Olive Gray (Halo) as Anna Shenford
- Joe Sims (Broadchurch) as Joe Summers
- Julian Peedle-Calloo (Louder Than Words) as Gardner
- Cherie Gordon (Boat Story) as Tasha
- Rinkoo Barpaga (You Don’t Know Me) as Vinay
- James Joseph Boyle as Matthew
- Sophie Allen as Danni
- Joanne Harrison as Brennan’s Mum
- David Hirshman (Signs of an Affair) as Brennan’s dad.
- Duffy (Small World) as David
- Michael Culkin as Monroe
- Robert Rhodes as Dexter
- Andy M Milligan as Party Guest
- Ravi Multani as Guest
- Richie Lawrie as Prisoner Cell 1
- Jean-Pascal Heynemand as Young Monroe
- Alim Jadavji as David
Producers have confirmed that most roles in Reunion will be portrayed by actors who are deaf or use British Sign Language (BSL), a decision that has been widely praised within the deaf community.
Writer and executive producer William Mager shared his vision for the series, stating: “I wanted to address a difficult topic that’s mostly unique to the deaf community in the vehicle of a mystery thriller that educates audiences about what it’s like to be deaf, without falling into the usual tropes of ‘deep, rich and beautiful sign language’ and ‘living in a silent world’.” (via BBC)
He added, “We have an incredible wealth of deaf acting talent in this country, and I can’t wait to see what they can do.”
Is There a Trailer for Reunion?
The newly released trailer teases high-stakes confrontations and gripping twists, leaving fans eager for more. Watch the official trailer below.
Filming Details
Reunion is set and filmed in and around Sheffield and Doncaster (via BBC). The bilingual series features both British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English.
Behind the Scenes
Reunion, a four-part emotional thriller of revenge and redemption, is created and written by Sheffield-born deaf writer William Mager. Produced by Sheffield-based Warp Films, the company behind Netflix’s Adolescence, the series places inclusivity at its core.
This show marks a milestone in inclusive storytelling, with the majority of cast and many members of the crew being deaf or using British Sign Language (BSL).
Directed by Luke Snellin, who also serves as an executive producer, Reunion is produced by Helen Ostler with Siobhan Morgan as associate producer. Mark Herbert and Gwen Gorst executive produce for Warp Films, alongside Mager, with Rebecca Ferguson and Jo McClellan for the BBC. The series is supported by Screen Yorkshire, with BBC Studios handling international distribution.
BBC Studios is selling the series internationally and so Reunion was launched to the global market at Series Mania in Lille, France, in the last week of March 2025. Screen Yorkshire’s Chief Executive Caroline Cooper Charles praised the series for placing “inclusivity and representation at the heart of its storytelling and creative ambition.” (via Glamour Magazine UK)
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