Kieron Moore and Rose Ayling-Ellis Didn’t Have a Chemistry Test for ‘Code of Silence’

Crime drama Code of Silence, which premiered on ITV and streamer ITVX  in the U.K. on Sunday and will debut on streaming service BritBox in the U.S. and Canada in July, features British star Rose Ayling-Ellis as Alison, a determined deaf woman working in a police canteen who gets recruited to use her lip-reading skills in a covert operation.

As such, the show, created and written by Catherine Moulton (Baptiste, Hijack) and also starring Kieron Moore (Vampire Academy, Masters of the Air, The Corps), Charlotte Ritchie (You, Ghosts), and Andrew Buchan (Black Doves, The Honourable Woman, Broadchurch), is helping to redefine how deaf characters are featured on screen

Moore, during a recent panel discussion of cast members, also shared the impact that the experience of being on the show’s set to portray his character Liam, who in the opening episode seems to feel a special connection with Alison, had on him.

“Rose and I didn’t do a chemistry test, which is quite insane,” he shared, highlighting that he felt they built a connection very quickly. “We just met [in person] on the first day of filming.” Their first scene was for a later episode when their two characters have already been through all sorts of things.

“Arguably, it’s one of my favorite scenes, because I think it goes to show when you’re truly paying attention to someone and you’re truly invested in them, chemistry is undeniable,” Moore said. “I felt so safe with Rose. And I think anyone who meets Rose will come to say this: I felt like I’d never been truly listened to before until I met Rose. She pays so much attention to you when you talk that I was constantly learning how to be a better person, as well as being a better actor, which I think I had in common with Liam.”

About his character, Moore also had this to share: “Liam’s had a relatively troubled past, and he’s very untrusting. And he sees this person who is like a bright bit of light.”

Code of Silence is executive produced by Bryony Arnold and Damien Timmer for ITV Studios’ Mammoth Screen, alongside Robert Schildhouse and Stephen Nye for BritBox, as well as Ayling-Ellis and Moulton.