The captivating British crime drama has been a hit with both critics and audiences alike, with the series being labelled 'exceptional, fresh and brilliant' by viewers.08:28, 03 Jun 2026Those seeking outstanding British crime dramas like Happy Valley and Broadchurch are fortunate, as we've found precisely the suggestion for you.‌A crime drama has left audiences spellbound as it diverges from the standard straightforward police procedurals available.‌The 2025 British crime drama has audiences applauding the programme's distinctive premise and remarkable casting. Code of Silence was developed for television by Catherine Moulton and features Rose Ayling-Ellis and Kieron Moore in the principal roles. The duo are accompanied by Charlotte Ritchie, Andrew Buchan, Nathan Armarkwei Laryea, Andrew Scarborough, and Joe Absolom to complete an impressive ensemble.‌The gripping six-part series was commissioned by ITVX in May 2023, and Diarmuid Goggins assumes the lead director's role in the police procedural. Shot in locations including Canterbury, Watford, and Hertfordshire, the 'exceptional' series secured renewal for a second season in July 2025.Receiving tremendous critical praise, Code of Silence earned two BAFTA nominations this year - Best Drama Series and Best Actress for Rose Ayling-Ellis. In a significant triumph, the programme secured the prestigious Best Drama award during the BAFTA ceremony on May 10 earlier this month, further establishing its excellence as a television series and defeating formidable competition.‌The crime drama's official synopsis reads: "Alison Woods, deaf caterer, works to support her mother, and herself. Alison is asked by the police to lip-read conversations with dangerous criminals. Alison starts to fall for one of the suspects, but will not abandon the investigation.", reports Wales Online.Boasting a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Code of Silence has proved successful with both critics and viewers, with one reviewer saying: "It's a unique twist on the traditional crime thriller, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. However, it's the strong performances, quick pace and creative visuals that make this one worth streaming."Another critic commended the creator and actors: "Creator/writer Catherine Moulton takes her time in unfurling the action, which opens the door for Ayling-Ellis and Moore to add depth and dimension to their beautifully written parts."‌While a third critic said: "Moulton's script is written from experience and with veracity and shows its sheer complexity. The result is a fresh, original drama that has done the near impossible and given us a cop drama with something new to say."Viewers have been similarly captivated by the programme, as one fan notes: "This show was fantastic from start to finish. The character development, story line, the flow. Everything. The acting was great and it was amazing to watch this through the POV of someone who is deaf."‌Another viewer's review said: "Exceptional show, loved the depth of character development and Telling the story through the experience of Allison, eye opening on the experiences of the deaf, I learned so much from this show. Beautifully acted and written."While one fan of the series posted on IMDB: "Brilliant. I absolutely loved code of silence. Brilliant acting and I hope there will be more episodes to come PLEASE. The suspense throughout all six episodes never wavered. And having three deaf people in the series proves acting is for everyone."‌Another IMDB user review said: "Brilliant and nail biting. This was a great show, I've watched all 6 [episodes] now and loved it. It was a clever storyline and something different from other police dramas that have been on recently, it's good to have lots of deaf actors and not just one person that's deaf. All the cast were great and it was well filmed too! Gutted it's over! Would totally recommend."Meanwhile, one viewer simply said: "Code of Silence is a masterful blend of suspense, action, and compelling storytelling. From the opening scene, the series gripped me."Another fan of the series shared: "The show captivated me entirely from the very first minute, and I ended up watching it in its entirety in a single day. I have always had a fondness for British productions, and in this case it was no different.Article continues below"Rose Ayling-Ellis delivers a truly outstanding performance. In my view, both the storyline and the narrative are exceptionally well crafted. I can wholeheartedly recommend this show to everyone."Code of Silence is available to stream for free on ITVX.