BBC Factual Sets New Doc with Rose Ayling-Ellis

BBC Factual has commissioned the docuseries Signs for Living with Rose Ayling-Ellis (w.t.) from Rogan Productions (ABBA: Against the Odds, Becoming Frida Kahlo).

Deaf actor and model Ayling-Ellis (As You Like It, Summer of Rockets) will take a group of older people on an emotional journey to learn British Sign Language (BSL) to shine a spotlight on the issue of hearing loss among the older generation and the impact it can have on an individual’s health and well-being. The series will explore if BSL has the potential to improve the quality of life in old age.

Supported by and made in consultation with experts and professionals, Ayling-Ellis’s project may change perspectives on the role BSL can have on the lives of people who experience hearing loss later in life. More than that, though, it aims to capture the joy of communicating and the power of community.

“I knew filming this show would be a challenge, but what I have experienced teaching the residents sign language has gone beyond my expectations,” Ayling-Ellis said. “It is an experience I will cherish for a lifetime, and I just can’t wait for viewers to see the series.”

“After Signs for Change, we are delighted to be working with Rose again on this groundbreaking series,” commented James Rogan, director at Rogan Productions. “This experiment addresses a burning issue in society with the sense of love, lightness of touch and deep engagement that we have come to expect from Rose.”

Camilla Arnold, series producer for Rogan Productions, added, “Witnessing the language of my community, the deaf community, being embraced and used by the wider world has been a truly magical experience. This film not only puts a long-awaited spotlight on British Sign Language but also carries a powerful message: BSL is for everyone, and, more importantly, it serves as an invaluable tool against the hearing loss that often accompanies old age.”

“Rose’s previous film did so much to raise awareness of the reality of life for deaf people in the U.K., and I’m really pleased that she is back with this important new project,” said Clare Sillery, head of commissioning for documentaries at the BBC. “I hope that this new series, which brings warmth and compassion to a major public health issue, will have a similar impact and demonstrate the value of BSL in all our lives.”