Latest news with #RoseAylingEllis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kieron Moore Relishes Taking on Complex Characters, From ‘Code of Silence' to Queer Camboy
If you don't know rising British actor Kieron Moore yet from his roles in Vampire Academy, Masters of the Air, The Corps and ITV hit crime series Code of Silence, opposite Rose Ayling-Ellis, you can now catch him in the latter on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada, where it premiered on July 24. In the show, Moore portrays Liam, a complex and, shall we say, ambiguous character, who meets protagonist Alison (Ayling-Ellis), a determined deaf woman working in a police canteen who gets recruited to use her lip-reading skills in a covert operation. As the story of Code of Silence unfolds, Moore hints at and slowly reveals all sorts of layers to Liam. More from The Hollywood Reporter The Exiles of Tehrangeles Stellan Skarsgard to Receive Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at Sarajevo Film Fest Nigeria's C.J. "Fiery" Obasi Created This Spot, and Two More, for Locarno Pro's Open Doors (Exclusive) The 28-year-old from Manchester didn't have a chemistry test with Ayling-Ellis, but playing multi-layered characters seems natural to him. After all, he is not only enjoying the challenges of acting, but also used to be a boxer and writes poetry, among other interests. Next up, fans can see him as queer fetish camboy Aaron in Elliot Tuttle's drama Blue Film, in which he stars opposite Reed Birney, which has been selected for the competition program of this year's 78th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which unspools next month. Below, Moore chats with The Hollywood Reporter via Zoom about his varied interests and how they help him when it comes to acting, Code of Silence, which has been renewed for season two, Blue Film, his experience on Sex Education and why he enjoys continuously challenging himself. Your character, Liam, is difficult to get a handle on early. Can you talk a bit about how you developed this role, which is your first leading part on TV? There are levels to him. The first thing is you must trust in yourself. You have to have an opinion. As limited as I am in my acting experience, I have to know that character more than all of you. Lead director Diarmuid Goggins (Kin, Black Cab) and I got along like a house on fire. We had great chemistry, just because I trusted him. He was looking out for my character, but he also appreciated when I was saying to him: 'You have a million pots on the stove right now, while I only have one, and that is Liam. I spend more time with him, so you have to trust me.' Something a friend said to me one time has also always stuck with me: You can't be everything in every character; you'll get opportunities to show different things. So who is Liam? Liam is intelligent but has a difficult past, and when you've got his level of intelligence, you kind of outthink yourself sometimes. That was constantly on my mind with him. It's like a mask. He puts up all these walls with the gang he works with. But then with Rose's character, Alison, he just lets them crumble a little bit somehow. So you can relate to Liam or recognize some of his characteristics? I think with Liam, it was quite easy to get into this mode of lying to everyone. In my personal life, it's always a bit of a struggle coming back home to Manchester, because I love my family, but there's a certain routine. It's not so much that they stay the same, but that I've changed. So, there's that thing of being what people expect you to be and want you to be. And I have a dad who is the most unreadable person in the world, but you feel him, and I felt him as a kid. My mother is the opposite — she wears everything on her face. With Liam, more than anyone that I've played so far, I was naturally bringing in this self-awareness. And he puts on this kind of mask. But once you get to episodes five and six, hopefully you get to understand that he's burdened, and you may find yourself being upset with him about some things but also rooting or hoping for him. How do you think about viewers' role in making sense of Liam? I guess with every character you play, when you truly feel that you know who they are, you realize that everyone struggles to understand who they are, and that gives all of us an opportunity to learn something about ourselves. I write poetry. That has always been my thing. I love poetry. I would usually write a poem and keep it to myself. But family members or others have stumbled upon my poems or I've shared poetry with my friends, and they often go: 'Oh, you must have meant this!' And I actually didn't, but I'm so glad that you found something else in it. You have developed a reputation for playing complex characters. And you have different sides to you as a person too. You just mentioned poetry, and I heard you also used to be a boxer? How nice to be a contradiction! [Laughs] Boxing is my first love. My dad's Kieron Moore. I'm Kieron Moore Jr. My dad always wanted to be a boxer, but his mum and dad said no. One day, my mum let me take out a videotape to watch on VHS. We had them under the TV. She was thinking I'd pick Tarzan or something, but I saw my name on one tape and said I want to watch that. Mum's like: No, no, no, no. But she puts it on. And it's my dad in his first boxing fight. He only had three. So, I'm five years old and want to be a boxer. I was in a gym at five years old, and I trained three, four times a week up until I was 10. And I got good. It was illegal to box in England until you were 11 at the time. My dad's side of the family is Irish. My mum's side is Welsh. And in Wales, you can box at 10. So we used my grandmother's address in Wales, and I started competing when I was 10 years old. I had six fights, and then I turned 11. But I boxed up until I was 21 because everyone told me I was going to be a boxer. My Dad was my coach. I guess I was good at it. But when you're good at something and it comes naturally, you get complacent. I was also extremely nervous. I never believed anyone when they told me I was good at boxing. I thought maybe they just told me I was good. I had 60, 70 fights, and I traveled too. But when I was 21, I just knew I had to make a choice. I knew I didn't love it enough. And it's a dangerous sport if you don't love it. I just didn't want to be a journeyman. And at 21, when you decide to quit something, what do you do? I thought, let me go into acting. People may think boxing and poetry are a contradiction. I started writing poems very early. I wrote a poem for my grandma's funeral when I was 10, which I couldn't even attend because I was at a boxing camp. But the pastor read it for everyone. And my mum and dad came back and said: 'Everyone loved your poem. People were crying.' I just remember thinking: 'Wow, words affect people.' I think words are so powerful. I love what poetry can do. Could we see you publishing any of your poetry or writing a script? I'm actually writing a script about a bad injury I had at the start of my boxing career. I'll talk about this more when it's time. And yes, I'm typing my poems up. The title that I'm working on for my poetry book is called The Burden of Caring. The positives and negatives of caring are quite burdenous, but in the most beautiful way. If you watch someone in your favorite roles, and if you care about them, they burden you while you watch. If you're anxious and scream, 'Oh my God, please don't get hurt!' Or you watch Rose in Code of Silence and go: 'Oh my God, stop doing that, because I care about you!' Did you ever face frustrations in your move into acting? When I was learning acting, I did a scene with my friend, and I was really frustrated, and when everyone left, I sat down and festered in class for 10 minutes. My coach asked me what was wrong. I said I keep waiting for someone to do something special so that I can respond and be special. And he said: 'Why don't you just do that for them?' And it turns out that it's so much more interesting when you realize it is all about giving. That's where chemistry comes in. With Rose, I would throw her a softball, and she would knock it out of the park. And that comes with trust and being open. And I kind of hope that I do the same for everyone else. I'm desperate for opportunities for them to let me find something else in their characters and in my character that we don't know yet. The most refreshing part about the Liam experience has been hearing people notice the subtleties that I am trying to bring to the role. I can be expressive, but I think real people live with and in their little quirks. What can you tell me about , which will world premiere at Edinburgh? It's from a first-time film director, Elliot Tuttle, and produced by the likes of Adam Kersh, who represents Sean Baker, and also Mark Duplass. All that is really cool. It's a very provocative movie and a very daring role for me, but I wanted to show I'm fearless. Basically, I play a gay American camboy who spends the night with a stranger for $50,000, and when he gets there, the stranger is wearing a ski mask and has a camcorder set up and starts asking him questions. But the questions get deeply personal, and then there's an altercation and a reveal. I don't want to give away too much. It's a conversation between these two people exploring shame and sexuality and identity and a little bit of religion and the question if we're born the way we are. It's a two-hander with Reed Birney, who's done quite a lot of Broadway stuff. It's my first movie, which was really exciting. This sounds like a role that is a real challenge and pushes one outside one's comfort zone. How did you get cast? The Hollywood strike happened, and I was filming the Netflix show [Boots], which was stopped, and I stayed in New Orleans. And when the strike finished, Netflix decided to do some rewrites, which delayed things. I thought: 'Wow, I'm very unemployed right now.' And then Saltburn had just come out, and I thought: 'What a role for an actor!' I briefly met Barry Keoghan once and have been enamored by him, because he is a very interesting actor, and a lot of my friends know that I like his work. That role would have been so good for you, they said. And he does it so well. So, I said if anything dangerous comes up, I want that chance. Five days later, my manager texted me and said, 'Check your emails!' He said that most people would say no to this role, but I might like it. And then I got the script. When I read it the first time, I was like whoa! And I read it again. And I felt I have to do this. When I did an audition, they said: 'We really like what you did, but we're going to go somewhere else.' And Reed, who's now one of my very good friends, was like: 'I'm not doing the movie unless it's with Kieron.' He got me the job really. I think contradictions are really exciting. And this is a movie where power is massively involved. I'm much bigger than Reed, and I'm physically capable, which just added a really interesting dynamic. Hopefully, people will appreciate the art. It's definitely a dangerous and brave film. At the end of the day, all I want to do is look back and be like: 'Wow, the roles I have played were all so different.' How do you think about your future as an actor? There's a letter that I wrote to myself when I was doing Vampire Academy that I just completely forgot about. And it was just so interesting to have it now, and I've been speaking about it with my friends. When you've worked hard at something, you kind of naturally, subconsciously become very defensive of it. In this letter that I wrote to myself, I said: 'It's really sad that I've gotten to where I thought I wanted to be, and I realized that I have to leave behind the Kieron that got me here.' You think you have made all these changes, so you are ready. But you get as far as you do, and you have to change again. That's the thing: you constantly have to be changing. And that's something that I'm starting to get more comfortable with now. I know that I don't have all the answers. Everything has led me to this, but then that next door will hopefully open, people will want to work with me, and I'll have to find that version of me for that. That's terrifying, but also so exciting. There's a line in one of the Night at the Museum films. Ben Stiller goes: 'I don't know what I'm gonna do tomorrow.' And then Robin Williams goes: 'How exciting…' Since you are quoting films, I just noticed that you are wearing a T-shirt. Are you a big fan? I just love that scene where Robert De Niro is at the bar, and then 'Sunshine of Your Love' by Cream kicks in. It's one of my favorite songs. I love that part in the script. It demonstrates that you don't have to say anything to do something [as an actor]. It's not necessarily about stealing moments, but being alive in moments when the script isn't centered around your character. I've worked to hone my craft so that I'm not lazy because no one's ever just doing nothing. So, I think about that moment in Goodfellas all the time, when De Niro smokes that cigarette and his eyebrow flickers and he's just telling us, 'I'm gonna kill you.' You had a small part in as Dylan, too. How was that? That was actually one of my first experiences ever. I did two days on that show, and Connor Swindells was so nice to me. Yeah, it was a great experience. It was beautiful and really insightful. I saw that you have more Netflix stuff coming up? Yes, I have done a show for Netflix that comes out in the fall. It's called Boots. It's based on a book called The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White about a guy who joins the Marines when you still couldn't be gay in the military. I'm not playing a very nice character. His name is Slovacek. He is an ex-con who joins the Marines and is an antagonist who goes on a journey though. I like that because I think everyone has a vulnerability. Again, he's very different from Liam and Aaron. Those three characters would hate each other. So I'm excited that I have a couple of things coming out this year, which I hope will show that I can do different things. Any tips for actors who are even younger than you on developing characters? The most interesting parts of every character I've played, the most interesting parts of their lives, are off camera. Liam has these great moments in Code of Silence, don't get me wrong! He has some fantastic moments. But I do genuinely think the most interesting parts of Liam's day are when he goes home. And as an actor, I think about what he does and feels in those moments we don't see on camera. Who is he then? Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Strictly star slams ‘manipulative' TV industry after quitting fame for OnlyFans – and reveals family member's jibe
A FORMER Strictly star has branded the TV industry as 'manipulative' after quitting fame for OnlyFans. John Whaite rose to fame after winning The Great British Bake Off in 2012. 4 4 The 36-year-old later competed on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing as runner-up behind Rose Ayling-Ellis. Speaking to Gay Times Magazine, John opened up about his experiences in the TV industry. The baker and presenter said: "I think the deeper conversation here is about welfare generally within the TV industry. I think that is still very much an elusive beast. "As soon as Strictly finishes, it's like, get out the hotel, get out the flat, go home, but that is a life- altering event for the individual who's been subject to the headlines, often at the hand of these shows, because these shows sometimes feed stories to the media. "TV is manipulative and it's a distortion of truth, there's always an ulterior motive. "People aren't being fed the unadulterated, objective truth. And I certainly don't subscribe to that." Continuing, John recounted how he was "around 23" during his time on Bake Off. He recalled thinking his "existence hinged on being successful in television." John added: "But I think when you go through all these different permutations of your life, you start to realise that the b******t just does not matter. "What actually matters is your health, your sanity, your loved ones, your family, be it biological or chosen." Elsewhere in the interview, John revealed a family member had called him "disgusting" due to his OnlyFans content. The Sun previously revealed how he made a return to the platform earlier this year. The star had been posting a series of very explicit videos and images for his legion of subscribers on the adult-only website. Sources close to the star – who was paired with Johannes Radebe on Strictly - said: 'John has been telling friends he feels really empowered by posting what he wants. 'He's in amazing shape and is proud of how far he has come. 'He's says it really has nothing to do with money and it's not about helping fund his bakery business. 'John doesn't care what anyone else thinks. "He's really happy with the content he is creating.' 4
New York Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A Deaf Actress Has a Message She Wants You to Hear
When Rose Ayling-Ellis is lip reading, she's guessing most of the time. 'You can get the shape of a mouth,' she said recently, but to understand what someone is saying, context is everything. 'You have to pick up body language, the mood, the vibe,' she said. Ayling-Ellis, 30, said that learning to lip read had been 'a survival technique.' The actress, who was born deaf, speaks and also uses British Sign Language, and was aided in an interview by an interpreter. In the TV crime thriller 'Code of Silence,' which arrives on Britbox on July 24, Ayling-Ellis plays a deaf woman who is recruited by the police to eavesdrop discreetly. In the show, as in life, she said, lip reading is 'like a puzzle.' When Ayling Ellis's character, Alison, watches CCTV footage of suspected gang members, she scrutinizes their facial expressions and observes how they stand. Like any good detective, Alison must study the scene, piecing together clues. In a clever visual conceit, jumbled subtitles appear onscreen and gradually unscramble as she decodes each sentence. 'Code of Silence' first screened on ITV in Britain in May, and its debut episode drew over six million viewers, according to the broadcaster. Ayling-Ellis was already known to many from 'Strictly Come Dancing,' the wildly popular BBC show that inspired the 'Dancing With the Stars' franchise. She won the show in 2021 with a routine, to Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson's 'Symphony,' that fell silent halfway to mirror her experience of being deaf. That victory made her a household name and landed her TV presenting gigs, including as a sportscaster at the 2024 Paralympic Games. But after being 'on the TV as myself quite a few times,' she said, she wanted to get back to acting. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis receives honorary doctorate from the University for Creative Arts
EastEnders ' star Rose Ayling-Ellis was all smiles as she received an honorary doctorate from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in London on Monday. The actress, 30, was recognised for her outstanding achievements both in acting and for raising awareness of the deaf community. Rose previously graduated from the institution herself back in 2016 with a first-class BA honours degree in Fashion Design. She went on to find fame on EastEnders and Casualty before winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 - and was notably the first deaf contestant to do so. Rose said in her acceptance speech: 'I really am very honoured to receive this, especially from the very University that I graduated from. 'Work hard and enjoy the ride. Congratulations to all of us.' As well as her acting achievements, Rose has recently fulfilled her dream of becoming a children's author, publishing her first sign language children's books earlier this year. News of Rose's honorary degree comes after she wrote an emotional message to her fans after ITV confirmed the future of the hit crime drama she stars in, Code Of Silence. The show, which stars the former EastEnders actress, burst onto screens earlier this year to much fanfare. It saw Rose play deaf worker Alison Woods, who works in both a police canteen and a local bar while caring for her deaf mother to make ends meet. Woods then becomes key to a police investigation when she translates a criminal gang's conversations as she finds herself drawn to one of the main suspects. Kieron Moore, Charlotte Ritchie, Andrew Buchan, Nathan Armarkwei Laryea, Joe Absolom, and Fifi Garfield also starred in the first series. Following a nail-biting finale, ITV has confirmed that Code of Silence will return for a second series. The broadcaster also revealed a whopping 7.5 million viewers tuning into the first episode alone on TV, while over 20 million streams have been recorded across the full box set on ITVX. In an emotional statement to fans, Rose confirmed she will reprise her role, writing: 'I'm so proud that Code of Silence has been recommissioned. 'The response to the first series has been incredible, and it means so much to be part of a drama that not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, but also puts a Deaf character at the heart of the story. 'I'm really excited to see where Alison's journey goes next and to be working again with the wonderful cast, crew and creative team behind the show.' Development on the second series has kicked off, with ITV planning to begin filming next year, meaning fans will have a lengthy wait before they can enjoy new episodes. ITV's drama commissioner, Callum Dziedzic, said: 'We are unbelievably proud of Code of Silence, and it's been a joy seeing audiences embrace it - especially their love for the skilful, headstrong, and effortlessly loveable Alison. 'Rose brings her to life with real charm and depth, and Catherine's brilliant concept gave her the perfect world to step into. We can't wait to share another gripping case, with Alison's talents and perspective delivering a thriller that's pulse-pounding, distinctive, and like nothing else on TV.'
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis handed honorary doctorate
Rose Ayling-Ellis has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) for her contribution to acting and campaigning for the deaf community. The multi-award-nominated actress, producer and children's author said she was "very honoured" to receive the award at London's Royal Festival Hall. Ms Ayling-Ellis' first breakthrough roles were in BBC's Casualty and EastEnders after graduating from the Surrey-based UCA with an honours degree in fashion design in 2016. The actress, who went to school in Ashford in Kent, later won Strictly Come Dancing and starred in ITV's thriller Code of Silence. Ayling-Ellis, who is deaf, has used her platform to champion the British Sign Language (BSL) Act and called on the government to increase support for disabled also appeared in the BBC documentary Old Hands, New Tricks in which she taught a group of retirees BSL.
