Original subtitles

- You're ex-police, aren't you? - Who'd you say you were?

You need to get Daniel Brennan back in prison.

Brennan's missing.

I will start the recall paperwork today.

GLASS SMASHES

Tried to get rid of me.

Leaving me on my own.

Again!

SHE SCREAMS, TYRES SQUEAL

Hello? I'm calling about a taxi.

Hawthorne Park.

Hey, do you need a lift anywhere?

I ain't got any idea where he's gone. My phone's flat!

SIZZLING

INDISTINCT CHATTER

RUMBLING

FLAMES WHOOSH

# Ten years in here

# No-one near

# No-one to sign my name

# No-one to sign my name

# Nowhere to hide my shame. #

Right, that's you done. Same time next week.

Got my number, if there's any issues, yeah?

Yeah. What happened to Anna? I liked her.

Yeah?

Yeah, she were fit.

You've got me now.

So, what I was meaning to ask you, though, do you know Daniel Brennan?

Came out t'same time as you.

Yeah, what about him?

What can you tell me about him? What was he like?

Can't have been easy for him, being in prison, being deaf and all.

I mean, he didn't exactly talk.

So, we'd write notes to each other,

mostly so he could practise.

Practise what?

Well, he could barely read and write. Wanted to put that right.

So, what kind of things did you write about?

Just the usual shit. "What team do you support?

"What you in for?" That sort of thing.

He were angry sometimes, it got him in trouble.

I've got a scar to show for it.

But I liked him, you know.

Can't say that about many people I were in with.

Told me it didn't matter what he did, he HAD to go to prison.

Usually have to go to prison for murder, though, yeah?

Can I go now?

Yeah, fine. Cheers.

LEAVES RUSTLE IN THE WIND

DOOR CLOSES

THUD, CHAIR CLATTERS

Mum, what's wrong with him?

BOTTLE SMASHES

What's he talking about?

LOCK CLICKS

SHE SHOUTS:

Stop!

SHE SCREAMS

Anything back from your dad yet?

No.

What about your mum?

Would she know where your dad might be?

She's not around any more.

Look, you've got to help me out here.

I already told you I wasn't going to be able to help you.

CENTRAL LOCKING CLICKS

Fucking let me go, now!

The sooner we track him down, the sooner I'll let you go.

OK?

How come you haven't called the police?

You told Miri you were going to call the police.

You don't really want to get the police involved, do you?

The Brennan recall paperwork's gone through now, yeah?

Yep.

I put him down as high-risk.

Not sure he is, but ...

No, he is. Done your job.

One thing I noticed, though...

..Daniel Brennan signed his own interview statement.

See? Right here.

"This statement is true, to the best of my knowledge and belief."

- Right? - Right.

These...are his basic English learning certificates -

from prison.

Why would someone sign their own confession

if they couldn't properly read it?

Oh, um, maybe someone signed it to him?

No legal counsel present either.

CAR APPROACHES

Is this where you're setting the world to rights now?

Now?! Been a few years.

How's that going for you?

Same shit, different job title.

Oh, mate! Owe you one.

So, who is this guy to you, anyway?

You've never asked for a favour like this before.

No. It's complicated.

Try me.

Someone's a bit too keen to see him back in prison.

You know, leaving messages, coming by the office.

Right.

I don't know.

Just want to set my mind at rest.

Still a detective, through and through, eh?

Look, some time's passed now, you know, I could...

I could speak to some people, if you want to come back to the police.

I'm sure they'd welcome you.

Right, I'll see myself out.

Nice one.

- ON VIDEO: - Right...

..let's get this done, shall we?

Good to go?

Look, my dad, it's got nothing to do with me.

Please, just let me out.

- I can't do that. - Why not?!

Is there anywhere else where your dad might have gone?

Like where?

Like a safehouse? A meeting place?

A safehouse? What, you think he's some sort of mobster or something?

Well, he's a murderer, I know that much.

My dad's not like that. He wouldn't hurt Christine.

- You don't know that! - Well, I don't know YOU!

I only met you half-an-hour ago,

and now you've locked me in your car, and you're threatening me.

Fucking let me out, now!

There you go.

- What? - You're free to go.

BIRDS CAW

CAR DOOR CLOSES

Let's just take a breath.

OK?

I'm not looking for your dad.

I just want to find Christine, and she's where your dad is.

You take me to where Christine is,

and then we can part ways, and that's the end of it.

You promise?

I have no interest in your dad.

OK?

Well, that makes two of us, then.

That's where he is.

WATER DRIPS

MATCH STRIKES

FLAMES WHOOSH

Hey. Hey.

Stop!

SEAN CRIES

SEAN CRIES

FRONT DOOR CLOSES

ON VIDEO: You had...

..a hunting knife.

Were you planning to kill someone?

If you plan to kill someone...

..that is premeditated.

You murdered him.

So, you accept full responsibility for his death?

- INTERPRETER: - It's all my fault.

You do that...one more time...

I'm sorry, it's...

Your job is to interpret what is said between me and the suspect,

nothing more.

Have you got that?

What are they signing to each other?

You're asking me?

- I don't know. - Know anyone who does?

HAND BANGS TABLE ON VIDEO

- You do that...one more time... - I'm sorry...

RAY CHUCKLES

BLADE RASPS, PATRONS GASP

KEYS BEEP, RINGING TONE

PHONE SMASHES

- Thanks for coming by on such short notice. - No worries.

- Where do you want me? - There you go.

So...the first bit we're interested in is here, right at the start.

What is it? What are they saying to each other?

Um, would you mind playing it again?

- I might need a couple of goes to get it all. - OK.

- DANNI INTERPRETS: - Are you sure you don't want a lawyer?

I just want to get this over with.

So he refuses legal counsel?

Yeah, looks like it.

- DANNI INTERPRETS: - Do you understand what you're confessing to?

He's dead because of me - that's it.

But you didn't mean to kill him, right?

So he DIDN'T know what he was confessing to?

They sent Brennan down for premeditated murder.

That's coercion.

You really don't want anything to do with your dad, then?

No.

Why's that?

Ah, it's all the secrets.

He won't tell me anything.

Wants to shield me from everything.

I don't even know who he is any more.

How do you mean?

I still remember what it's like to have a dad, just about.

Someone who looked out for me,

who walked me to school, made me feel safe,

taught me how to fix cars.

When he first came out of prison, I thought, "Maybe...

"Maybe I'll get my dad back.

"Maybe he's still a good person."

Even after everything that happened.

But now, he's just some angry deaf man,

going round, getting into fights.

Have you told him that?

What difference would it make?

Maybe he's trying to change his ways? I don't know.

No, it's too late for us now.

He doesn't care about me.

Not really.

- You do that...one more time... - I'm sorry, it's...

Your job is to interpret what is said between me and the suspect,

nothing more.

Have you got that?

He said, it's about school.

Something happened to him.

Now, you listen to me. I'm not interested in his life story.

He's murdered someone, and he's going to sign this,

whether you like it or not.

- Understood? - Yes, sir.

Just like we talked about.

You sign this, and that's the end of it...

..and we don't have to bring in your family...

..and interview them. We don't have to ask your friends about you.

You sign here...

..and it's all over.

It'll all be...over.

They'll go easy on you in court, too.

That's them, isn't it?

Yeah.

Right, tell Christine I'm here.

What? No, tell her yourself.

I've told ya, I'm done with all of this.

Look, it's like I said, I've no interest in going anywhere

near your dad. I don't want to get involved, I don't want to interfere.

I just want to make sure she's safe, OK?

- Please? - Right, fine.

Hey!

Your boyfriend's here.

He wants to make sure you're all right.

Carly?

Look at you.

Hey, love.

I was in a lot of pain, but...

I'm sorry, I should have been there for you and your mum.

I'm sorry.

Um...

..when you see Miri, just tell her I didn't mean what I said, yeah?

Bye, love.

HE SIGHS

SHE EXHALES DEEPLY

He didn't hurt you?

No.

Did he tell you...?

What did he say?

Did you get the answers that you wanted?

It's complicated.

I just need to sort it all through in my head.

Oh, I've been so worried about you. I've been driving around all day.

- Calling and texting. - I'm sorry, love.

Well, thank God you're safe.

Oh, God. Miri! She must be worried sick.

No, she's at home. I'll take you there now.

Be good to track Brennan down, talk to him.

You've changed your tune. What's going on?

I joined the police because I wanted to help people.

Do good, change stuff for the better - the usual.

Then I ended up working with people like him.

Got sick of people being pushed... coerced.

Deciding who we like for this and that,

and they're just making the pieces fit, another case closed.

And any time I tried to do something,

or say something about it,

there's another secret black mark against me.

In the end, it all got too much.

Do you think Daniel Brennan's innocent, then?

I don't think anyone's going to care about any of that.

He's done his time in prison.

Maybe more than he should have.

I'm sorry.

Cos you were right.

He deserves a chance.

I'm going to keep trying his phone.

DOOR OPENS

Mum!

DOOR CLOSES

Thank you.

Christine?

Yeah?

I know you've both had a long day, but, um...

What is it, love?

I'm just... I'm just glad you're both safe.

I'll let myself out.

So much for second chances, eh?

I almost believed you.

Well, what the fuck is this, then?! Eh?!

Do you have any idea, ANY IDEA, how much I wanted to believe you?

To believe that you and me, we could start over together?

You were always planning

on going back to prison, weren't you?

Leaving me on my own? More lies, more broken promises!

Same old fucking shit!

I hate you.

I fucking hate you!

GUNSHOT

# Ten years in here

# And no-one near

# No-one to sign my name

# No-one to sign my name

# Nowhere to hide my shame

# One day soon I'll be forgiven

# Even though I don't know what I've done

# Some say there's no use in trying

# To be free under the sun. #

- Reunion. - Reunion.

- Reunion. - Reunion.

Action.

It just felt profoundly worthwhile.

It's an ingenious and unique story.

- INTERPRETER: - Reunion is the story of a man called Daniel Brennan.

He's just out of prison,

after ten years inside for committing a terrible crime.

He's lost his family, he's lost his friends,

he's lost the deaf community.

- INTERPRETER: - When he gets out, he finds that he's still isolated,

and he's on a journey to try and reunite various people,

and solve the problems from his past.

My character, Brennan, is on a wildly different journey than

that portrayed of normal deaf lives.

He is reunited with his daughter,

who I'm playing,

and tries to reform the bond that was kind of damaged

and lost between them both when he went to prison.

And it's kind of the reunion of father and daughter,

as well as the wider story of the reunion.

What attracted me to it is the deaf writer.

When I read it, there were so many moments in it that were

so particularly deaf culture,

that only deaf people get.

So it got me so excited to see those moments in it,

and I just felt like I have to be in this project.

- INTERPRETER: - My dad always believed that every deaf child

had a right to an education.

It had this amazing, unique perspective

of how it feels

to be a deaf man in prison,

a deaf man sort of re-entering the world after ten years.

So, on the one hand, it was like universal.

There were a lot of universal themes.

But then on the other hand, it was really specific to deaf culture

and the deaf community.

What I love about the story is that

everything goes wrong for all the characters

because people are not communicating,

and it's about failure to communicate.

So, I found that fascinating.

And to put in the context of a deaf character,

who can't hear and can't communicate,

was a really ingenious way of exploring that theme.

- INTERPRETER: - I'm from Sheffield.

So, what I wanted to write is a bit of a love letter to my hometown.

I want to show those amazing locations,

those amazing places that I remember from my childhood.

So, when Warp Films first joined the production, I was so happy,

because Warp is based here in Sheffield.

So, it was kind of a dream collaboration

to be working with them.

I love Sheffield as a town.

There's an incredible generosity of spirit here.

We've used a lot of deaf people who live and work here in Sheffield,

as part of Reunion, and that was really important for me.

From the start, I wrote Reunion as a bilingual script,

which meant I used italics and bold

to show the different range of communication they use

in the script. I had to think about that carefully.

How am I?

I just paid off the mortgage and bought a new car.

I'm in line for a promotion, actually.

Why are you still wearing that?

I love that Reunion's an inclusive production, and I think it's

one of the things that's most important to me, personally.

I feel like not only are we telling a story, you know,

with a deaf protagonist and deaf cast members,

but we've also managed to get, you know,

some amazing deaf crew members as well,

a lot of whom have been, like, invaluable to us making this.

And it's really lovely to see the connection

between the hearing crew and the deaf crew,

and to see those relationships being formed,

but also us all pushing together towards the sort of common goal

of making the show.

We have a Deaf Access Team, who are kind of central to everything,

just making sure that we have all the interpreters we need every day.

We also have a whisper track, which is having one of the interpreters

just reading out everything

that gets signed on set, so that everything hopefully works

as a sort of fully bilingual set.

We took a lot of advice over... through the whole production period,

because there are a lot of things to take into consideration.

We consulted with TripleC, who very early on set up a deaf round table

which was a meeting with deaf creatives as well,

just to talk about good and bad experiences

they've had on set previously.

- MARK HERBERT: - It's amazing to see. I remember that pre-shoot that we did,

just seeing it work.

Luke, the director, is now pretty much fluent in BSL.

And Lara is just incredible.

They're just having conversations outside,

so it's just really great to see that the team's embraced it.

INTERPRETER: There are two actors I'm really proud of - Lara Peake

and Anne-Marie Duff.

Both had to learn sign language for this series,

and they've learnt in a matter of weeks.

I think enough time has passed,

that your dad would want me to move on.

To try.

I've really loved it. And it's very interesting, translating and saying,

"OK, if I were to act this vocally in this way,

"how would I physicalise that, then, in scenes where I don't vocalise?"

And so it was exactly the same.

I'd be just as awkward physically as I would with my voice,

you know, and things like that.

So it's been rather beautiful, actually.

I was an absolute beginner when it came to signing.

In a way, sometimes that can be the best place to start,

because you don't bring anything with you. You're just wide open

and ready to learn, and I've had the most incredible teacher, Duffy.

Duffy, he's like a complete legend teacher that has taught me

pretty much every day, I think, for about three weeks.

And as time's gone on, we've kind of been out in social settings.

And then I think, when you can apply what you've learnt in a more

formal setting to then going to the pub,

there's all different signs for different accents

and different regions.

And you pick up so much more as well,

outside of the formal learning environment.

We've had a really good giggle along the way.

And even just having a cup of tea with everybody,

I'm having to sign all the time. So it's immersion, you know?

It's like visiting this beautiful country,

where I've had to learn the language, and...

Yeah, I've loved it. It's been brilliant.

For the chemistry audition with Matty, I was asked to learn

the scene in BSL.

And I got sent a video of the sign,

and then I had to... I kind of, at that stage,

just had to copy it and memorise it,

and then put the emotion and the acting on top of it

after I'd kind of cemented the movement.

But then actually learning BSL for the show, I've not been copying.

I've been properly learning the meaning of the words.

I've always been quite fascinated by it as a language,

and, like, the visuals and everything,

but I didn't know any of it.

So it's just been really amazing to learn it and soak it all up.

I just find the whole process amazing, and I feel really grateful.

Tried to get rid of me!

The environment on set around signing is so alive, you know,

because it's not just the actors who are deaf.

There's also crew members.

Everyone's having to communicate with each other,

and it's been a really good example of how we can

and how easy it is, actually, if we try.

The deaf culture and the deaf community is quite underserved,

you know, on TV. I think there's still a long way to go,

in terms of real inclusivity

and giving deaf cast and crew members, like, real opportunities,

but I'm really happy and glad that we were able to do that on this.

It feels really important to this show.

INTERPRETER: It's a unique story.

It's completely different from other deaf films.

It showcases pure BSL.

It's different from hearing actors. We are much more visual

storytellers. This is not about sound,

it's not about relying on sound.

It's about using your eyes

and seeing what is going on in the story.

And I love the fact that this felt - not only was it a really

important story about the deaf community in a perspective

I'd never read before,

but it was really entertaining and thrilling.

The story is an absolute roller-coaster, and I think that

coupled with the perspective, that's the sweet spot for us.