"Code of Silence"

The Netflix series "Adolescence" became one of the most watched and commented upon as soon as it was released.

A family facing a shocking truth, but what made it stand out was the way the series explored toxic masculinity, misogyny, and the use of the “one-take” technique in each episode. All of this made this production different and “nailed” in front of the screen. Perhaps the only problem with “Adolescence” was that it only had four episodes.

But if you're still looking for a similar British drama, you should watch "Code of Silence."

This six-part series, produced by ITV, tells the story of Alison, a hearing-impaired woman played by actress Rose Ayling-Ellis (known for “EastEnders” and “Doctor Who”), who has hearing problems in real life. She becomes an informant for the police in an investigation into a bank robbery planned by a gang.

On the surface, another British crime drama, where we expect to see characters investigating complicated crimes. But “Code of Silence” goes beyond these expectations. What sets it apart is the realistic and touching way in which it deals with Alison’s daily challenges as a woman with special abilities, but also as an individual from a working class background, who faces endless bureaucracy, the inability to find work and the risk of losing her home.

Instead of having the typical narrative where the protagonist falls into a self-destructive spiral, the focus is on real challenges that feel much closer to most people's experiences, which makes Alison and her mother, Julie (played by Fifi Garfield), extremely relatable to the audience.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers.

Overturning stereotypes

Even when the series deals with certain topics, such as romantic relationships, in this case the ex-boyfriend (Eithan, played by Rolf Choutan), it still goes beyond expectations: it is Alison who decides to end the relationship and openly says that she is looking for "what she needs", giving more control to her character and deepening the psychological profile of the character.

Another feature is how the series includes people with hearing impairments in a meaningful, rather than superficial, way. While many characters in her world underestimate Alison because of her limited hearing, it is her ability to read lips that gives the investigation the key to moving forward.

When she infiltrates the criminal group, her self-confidence grows, precisely because others do not see her as a threat. This misperception allows her to gather information without arousing suspicion, a rather interesting dimension of the narrative.

In itself, this series challenges stereotypes and evokes an extraordinary sense of empathy.