ITV’s newest thriller, which has been compared to Line of Duty, features an interesting twist that will leave viewers fascinated.
ITV’s detective dramas are perhaps the most beloved and iconic part of their programming, so anytime a new one is added its expectations are sky high.
Whether it be Broadchurch, Unforgotten, or true crime dramas such as The Pembrokeshire Murders, the broadcaster seem to have figured out the formula for making incredible crime and detective thrillers.
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For many, however, the standard to beat is still undeniably the BBC’s Line of Duty.
What is the new ITV detective thriller?
The crime thriller focuses on a deaf woman, played brilliantly by Rose Ayling-Ellis, who works in the canteen of a police department.
Called Code of Silence, it follows her becoming more and more involved in the investigation of the crimes of a violent gang.
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Her character, Allison, initially only becomes involved as no interpreters are on site to lip read a meeting of the gang that was secretly recorded from afar.
As the show goes on though she becomes a central part of the investigation, using her ability to lip read to gather information for the police investigation.
Ayling-Ellis is joined in the cast by Charlotte Ritchie, Andrew Buchan, Dedun Omole, and Kieron Moore, and was created by Catherine Moulton for ITV X.
What are critics saying?
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Critics have been full of praise for the new TV show, with reviews across the board lauding the show as the next great ITV crime thriller.
The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan gave the series four stars, saying in her review: “Rose Ayling-Ellis is a triumph in this fun, fascinating crime show.
“The actor is outstanding as a lip reader called on to aid the police in a thriller that is also totally enlightening viewing for hearing people.”
The Times rejoiced in their review that it was ‘finally a cop drama with something new to say’, before adding: “Rose Ayling-Ellis has the TV Midas touch… she tends to strike gold. She is a charming screen presence.
“Catherine Moulton’s script is written from experience and with veracity and shows its sheer complexity.
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“The result is a fresh, original drama that has done the near impossible and given us a cop drama with something new to say.”
The show’s star, Charlotte Ritchie, was herself the one to make the comparison to Line of Duty, although if reviews continue in the same vein fans will soon be the ones making them.
In an interview with Metro, Ritchie said she hopes that Code of Silence has a legacy like Line of Duty, saying: “I hope it has a big legacy, and I hope people take to it in the way that they have these other crime dramas.
"It’s not your straightforward crime drama. It’s about the transgression of different boundaries and people being a bit morally grey, which I find really interesting.”
Code of Silence is available to watch on ITV X now.
Topics: ITV, Line of Duty, TV and Film, TV
Michael Slavin