Jump to content

Rose Ayling-Ellis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rose Ayling-Ellis
MBE
Ayling-Ellis in 2022
Born
Rose Lucinda Ayling-Ellis

(1994-11-17) 17 November 1994 (age 30)
Hythe, Kent, England
Alma materUniversity for the Creative Arts
OccupationActress
Years active2011–present

Rose Lucinda Ayling-Ellis MBE (born 17 November 1994) is an English actress. Deaf since birth, she is a British Sign Language user. On television, she is best known for her role as Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2020–2022) and for winning the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice in 2021; she was the programme's first deaf contestant.

Also known for her theatre work, she has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award and won The Stage Debut Award. She is the recipient of the Visionary Honours for Inspirational Person of the Year.

Early life

[edit]

Rose Lucinda Ayling-Ellis was born on 17 November 1994, in Hythe, Kent, and grew up there.[1][2] She was born deaf.[3] She attended the Christ Church, Church of England High School in Ashford, Kent.[2] As a child, she took part in a filming weekend organised by the National Deaf Children's Society.[4] During the weekend, she met deaf film director Ted Evans, who later cast her his 2011 short film The End, which marked her acting debut.[4][5] She then joined the Deafinitely Youth Theatre, and concurrently studied fashion design at the University for the Creative Arts graduating in 2016.[6][7]

Career

[edit]

Acting

[edit]

Following her debut in The End, Ayling-Ellis appeared in a number of stage productions, including Lyric Hammersmith's Herons Workshop in 2016, Royal Exchange Theatre's Mother Courage in 2019, and London National Theatre's Faith, Hope and Charity in 2019.[2][8] Her early television credits include the medical drama Casualty (2017) and the period drama Summer of Rockets (2019).[9] She also had a part in the 2017 music video for The Vamps' song "Middle of the Night".[2]

From 2020 to 2022, Ayling-Ellis portrayed Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Her character was originally written by deaf journalist and scriptwriter Charlie Swinbourne, and she made her first appearance on 18 May 2020.[10] Her departure from the series was announced in August 2022, with her final scenes airing on 22 September 2022.[11]

Ayling-Ellis was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2023 Laurence Olivier Awards and won The Stage Debut Award for Best West End Debut for her performance in As You Like It at @sohoplace.[12][13] She is set to appear in a guest role in an episode of the fifteenth series of Doctor Who in 2025.[14] Ayling-Ellis will also star as Alison Woods in the ITV drama series Code of Silence,[15] and Miri in the BBC thriller series Reunion.[16] She is developing a comedy drama about deaf women dating in London,[17] and is attached to executive produce and star as Tuva Moodyson in the crime thriller series Tuva, a television adaptation of Will Dean's novel Dark Pines.[18]

Other ventures

[edit]

In 2021, Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.[5] She participated in and won the show's 19th series, with professional Giovanni Pernice.[6][19][20] In an interview before the start of the series, she said:

I have a hearing aid, so I pick up some of the music and I can hear the beat. I can hear someone singing, but I can't identify exact words. I also feel the vibrations.[21]

Ayling-Ellis and Pernice scored 40 (full marks) for their tango in week six, which was the earliest "perfect score" in the show's history.[22] In week eight, their Couple's Choice contemporary dance featured a rumba with an added period of silence as a tribute to the deaf community. Described by judge Anton Du Beke as "the greatest thing I've ever seen on the show",[23][24] it earned them the 2021 Heat Unmissables Award for TV Moment of the Year.[25] It also won the British Academy Television Award for Virgin TV's Must-See Moment in 2022.[26]

In May 2022, Ayling-Ellis became the first celebrity to sign a bedtime story on CBeebies, telling the tale of Raymond Antrobus's 2020 children's picture book Can Bears Ski?.[27] In August 2022, she unveiled the first deaf Barbie doll equipped with behind-the-ear hearing aids released as part of the Barbie Fashionistas line consisting of a number of diverse dolls.[28][29][30] She worked with Mattel during the production of the doll, and featured in the promotional campaign "Rose, Barbie & Friends".[28][30]

Ayling-Ellis presented the BBC documentary Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change in 2023, and is set to present the upcoming two-part BBC documentary series Signs for Living with Rose Ayling-Ellis.[31] In August 2024, she was announced as a presenter for Channel 4's coverage of the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France. As a result, she became the first deaf person to host live sport coverage on British television.[32]

As announced in June 2024, Ayling-Ellis signed a 10-book deal with DK Children's, including non-fiction, picture books and board books, starting with Rose Knows: The Amazing Story of Communication in 2025.[33]

Personal life

[edit]

In an interview with the National Deaf Children's Society, Ayling-Ellis explained that she often has to perform using Sign-supported English (SSE) to reflect her own communication style and make it clear to audiences. Her deafness has not stopped her from enjoying music, and she told The Guardian that her favourite artists are Dolly Parton and Stevie Wonder, and that she is a big fan of soul music.[5] She was in a relationship with Samuel Arnold, who is also deaf, from 2014 until 2022.[34][35]

Ayling-Ellis was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 Birthday Honours for voluntary services to the deaf community.[36] She was the subject of a 2024 episode of the BBC genealogy programme Who Do You Think You Are? On the programme, she discovered that her fourth great-grandfather, Pasquel Lyons, was born in Italy and likely emigrated to England during the Napoleonic Wars.[37]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Rose Knows: The Amazing Story of Communication (2025)
  • Rose Says Good Morning! (2025)
  • Rose Says Good Night! (2025)

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 The End Sophia Short film [5]
2015 The Quiet Ones Charlotte Short film [5]
2017 Casualty Bianca Sinclair Series 32, episode 7 [38]
2018 Reverberations Josephine Short film [39]
2019 Summer of Rockets Esther Main role [40]
2020 Almost Sarah Short film [41]
2020–2022 EastEnders Frankie Lewis Regular role; 131 episodes [10][11]
2021 Strictly Come Dancing Contestant Series 19 [5]
2022 CBeebies Bedtime Stories Narrator Episodes: "Can Bears Ski?" and "Everybody Can Dance" [27][42]
2023 Sing for the King: The Search for the Coronation Choir Mentor Documentary [43]
2023 Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change Presenter Documentary [44]
2023 Shakespeare Sonnets: A Modern Love Story Narrator Television special [45]
2023 Murder, They Hope Catherine Episode: "Blood Actually" [46]
2024 Afternoon Live Presenter 2024 Summer Paralympics coverage [32]
2024 Who Do You Think You Are? Herself Series 21, episode 4 [47]
2024 Ludwig Freya Chordwell Series 1, episode 5 [48]
2025 Doctor Who TBA Series 15 [14]
TBA Code of Silence Alison Woods Upcoming series [15]
TBA Reunion Miri Upcoming series [16]
TBA Signs for Living with Rose Ayling-Ellis Presenter Upcoming documentary series [31]
TBA Tuva Tuva Moodyson Upcoming series; also executive producer [18]

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Herons Workshop Michelle Lyric Hammersmith
2019 Mother Courage Kattrin Royal Exchange
2019 Faith, Hope and Charity Daughter National Theatre
2019 Peter Pan Wendy Birmingham Repertory Theatre
2022 Strictly Come Dancing Live! Herself UK tour (various locations)
2022–2023 As You Like It Celia @sohoplace

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
2020 Digital Spy Reader Awards Best Soap Newcomer EastEnders Third [49]
2021 National Television Awards Newcomer EastEnders Nominated [50]
2021 Heat Unmissables Awards TV Moment of the Year (with Giovanni Pernice) Silent Dance on Strictly Come Dancing Won [25]
2022 British Academy Television Awards Virgin TV's Must-See Moment Silent Dance on Strictly Come Dancing Won [51]
2022 Visionary Honours Inspirational Person of the Year Herself Won [52]
2022 National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance EastEnders Nominated [53]
2023 Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role As You Like It Nominated [12]
2023 The Stage Debut Awards Best West End Debut As You Like It Won [13]
2024 Grierson Awards Best Documentary Presenter Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change Nominated [54]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ George, Becky (29 August 2024). "Five things you didn't know about Rose Ayling-Ellis". Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Castle, Liane (19 November 2021). "EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis from Hythe tipped to win the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball". Kent Online. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  3. ^ Wilkins, Bridie (6 November 2021). "Strictly made a big change for Rose Ayling-Ellis that we never knew about". Hello!. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Starring in EastEnders | My deafness didn't stop me". National Deaf Children's Society. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Buglass, Lucy (22 September 2021). "Rose Ayling-Ellis — things you didn't know about the 'EastEnders' actress". Whattowatch.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Saner, Emine (19 December 2021). "Strictly exclusive! Winner Rose Ayling-Ellis on the glitterball, Giovanni and the joy of being deaf". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  7. ^ "UCA Graduation 2022 – looking back at our best stories". University for the Creative Arts. 11 July 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  8. ^ Brennan, Clare (17 February 2019). "Mother Courage and Her Children review – canny power from Julie Hesmondhalgh". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Meet: Rose Ayling-Ellis, star of BBC's Summer of Rockets". The Limping Chicken. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  10. ^ a b Dainty, Sophie (19 May 2020). "EastEnders – Who is Ben and Callum's new friend Frankie Lewis?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Rose Ayling-Ellis: Strictly winner to leave EastEnders after two years". BBC News. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  12. ^ a b Wood, Alex (28 February 2023). "Olivier Awards 2023 nominations announced – see the full list". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b Nettle, Gemma (1 October 2023). "The Stage Debut Awards 2023: Rose Ayling-Ellis wins Best West End Debut award". The Stage. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  14. ^ a b Mensah, Katelyn (20 December 2024). "Doctor Who casts Rose Ayling-Ellis in scariest season 15 episode: 'It's absolutely terrifying'". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  15. ^ a b "ITV commissions six part thriller Code of Silence starring Rose Ayling-Ellis". itv.com. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b Kessen, David (16 May 2024). "Doncaster film set: This Is England producer starts work shooting his latest film in locations across city". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  17. ^ Goldbart, Max (26 August 2022). "'Strictly Come Dancing' Winner Rose Ayling-Ellis Developing Comedy-Drama About Deaf Women Dating In London". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  18. ^ a b Goldbart, Max (23 November 2023). "Rose Ayling-Ellis To Lead TV Adaptation Of Will Dean's Tuva Moodyson Novel About Deaf Journalist". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  19. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (10 October 2021). "Rose Ayling-Ellis on becoming Strictly Come Dancing's first deaf contestant". The Independent. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis becomes first deaf winner". BBC News. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  21. ^ McIntosh, Steven (15 September 2021). "Strictly Come Dancing: How Rose Ayling-Ellis will hear the music". BBC News. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  22. ^ Bagwell, Matt (31 October 2021). "Strictly Come Dancing: Rose Ayling-Ellis And Giovanni Pernice Secure Earliest 40 In Show's History With 'Perfect' Tango". HuffPost UK. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  23. ^ Duke, Simon (13 November 2021). "Strictly's Anton cracks with emotion giving verdict on Rose dance". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  24. ^ Percival, Ash (14 November 2021). "Rose Ayling-Ellis Moves Strictly Viewers To Tears With Emotional Performance Dedicated To The Deaf Community". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  25. ^ a b Hilton, Boyd (7 December 2021). "heat Unmissables Awards 2021: see the full list of winners". Heat. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Bafta TV Awards 2022: The winners and nominees". BBC News. 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  27. ^ a b Johnson-Obeng, Bree (6 May 2022). "Rose Ayling-Ellis to sign CBeebies Bedtime Story". BBC News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  28. ^ a b Cleverley, Ellie; Farooq, Iqra (18 August 2022). "'Inclusive Barbies are a major step in my life'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  29. ^ "EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils first Barbie with hearing aids". Sky News. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Strictly star Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils first Barbie doll with hearing aids". ITV News. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  31. ^ a b "BBC Factual announces new Rose Ayling-Ellis documentary about a retirement village that learns British sign language". BBC. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Paralympics 2024: Rose Ayling-Ellis becomes first deaf presenter of live sport". BBC News. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  33. ^ Wood, Heloise (18 June 2024). "DK Children's signs 10-book deal with Rose Ayling-Ellis". The Bookseller. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  34. ^ Murphy, Nichola (22 December 2021). "Rose Ayling-Ellis reveals house rules before living with boyfriend Sam". Hello!. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  35. ^ Hallam, Katy (3 September 2022). "BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Rose Ayling-Ellis 'hit by curse as she splits from boyfriend'". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  36. ^ "Bates knighted as Staunton and Emin made dames". BBC News. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  37. ^ Singh, Anita (5 September 2024). "Who Do You Think You Are? review: Rose Ayling-Ellis's ancestors would love the Queen Vic". The Daily Telegraph.
  38. ^ "Casualty, Series 32, Episode 7". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  39. ^ "Reverberations". BSL Zone. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  40. ^ Carr, Flora (25 June 2019). "Meet the cast of Summer of Rockets". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  41. ^ "Almost". BSL Zone. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  42. ^ "CBeebies Bedtime Stories – A-E: Rose Ayling-Ellis – Everybody Can Dance". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  43. ^ Cannon, Nicholas (5 May 2023). "Sing For The King: The Search for the Coronation Choir — release date, what happens, mentors, interviews and all you need to know". Whattowatch.com. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  44. ^ "Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  45. ^ "Shakespeare Sonnets: A Modern Love Story". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  46. ^ Molina-Whyte, Lidia (14 June 2023). "Peter Davison and Martin Kemp join Murder, They Hope Christmas special". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  47. ^ Hollingsworth, David (5 September 2024). "Who Do You Think You Are? 2024 release date, full line-up and everything we know". Whattowatch.com. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  48. ^ "Ludwig, Series 1, Episode 5". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  49. ^ Robinson, Abby (25 December 2020). "EastEnders triumphs at Digital Spy Reader Awards 2020". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  50. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (9 September 2021). "NTAs 2021 winners revealed, as Line of Duty and Coronation Street win major awards". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  51. ^ "Bafta TV awards 2022: the full list of winners". The Guardian. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  52. ^ "Winners of the 2022 Visionary Honours announced". Visionary Arts Foundation. 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  53. ^ Earp, Catherine (13 October 2022). "National Television Awards: Full winners list". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  54. ^ "Grierson Awards 2024 Nominees Revealed". The Grierson Trust. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Rose_Ayling-Ellis&oldid=1272894958"