It’s an amazing storyline and completely different from my previous work. Brennan is on a wildly different journey than that portrayed by normal deaf lives. In previous films, deaf and disabled characters have been portrayed in quite stereotypical ways. This is different, this portrays a man who is hated within the deaf community. That’s why I wanted to know more about him, and that’s why I wanted to get involved.

My character has just been released from prison. He’s finally free, out of isolation. However, when he gets out, he finds that he is still isolated. He is on a journey to try to reunite with various people and solve the problems of his past.

Billy's scripts are brilliant. I’ve seen them develop which has helped me to understand and embody my character. Brennan’s journey is different now than it was in the original scripts, the story is more targeted. Before there seemed to be more of a balance between the family storyline and the mission to find certain people and seek revenge. Now the journey seems a lot more focused on finding those people, which feels right.

I’ve known Billy for a good 20 years. I remember the first time we worked together was on Vee TV for Channel 4. He was the director; I was the presenter. We also worked together on Fingerspellers and various other projects before Reunion.

Brennan and Carly’s relationship has broken down. They were very close when she was growing up but have been apart from each other for a long time. They are finally reunited but his daughter has grown up, she’s not how Brennan remembers her, she’s a different person now. It takes a lot of work to rebuild their relationship slowly throughout the episodes before they get their reunion. Hence, it is called Reunion.

It really adds to the story; it doubles the impact. Rather than solely focusing on the shots and making sure the signing is in the frame, the locations impact the mood and reflect the journey that Brennan is on. From the cafe, the garage and the cemetery, they are all such different locations, which makes it much more exciting. For example, the reunion scene is in an extravagant hall, but we have other locations which helps the tone of the show.

I try to picture and think about how the world has excluded Brennan and shut him out. I think about how I can find ways to make the truth known. When people refuse to talk to Brennan, I try to find different ways of acting and ways to behave. I try to draw on my animal instincts and channel that, to help in his pursuit to get what he wants.

I would say the cafe scene where Brennan first meets Carly because that is their reintroduction, the first time he sees his daughter again. It feels very emotional as they both don’t know how to act naturally with each other anymore, there is so much that is unsaid.

It is a unique storyline, not one that patronises deaf people, it shows a range of Sign Language, from BSL to SSE! And it's incredibly visual. Try not to rely on the sound or music but appreciate the visual nature of the show.

My sign name is Matty [he signs a straight line forward with his full hand parallel from his nose], because I don’t beat around the bush, I always get straight to the point.

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