Rose Ayling-Ellis is a deaf actress originally from Kent. Born to hearing parents, Rose learnt British sign language (BSL) as a young child after her mother was motivated to improve their ability to communicate with each other and to immerse Rose in the deaf community. Since then, the deaf community and BSL have been integral to Rose and her identity. A shy child and naturally creative, Rose initially pictured herself as an artist. However, her focus changed when as a teenager, through a filmmaking course for deaf teenagers led by the National Deaf Children’s Society, she was first encouraged to pursue acting. Acting offered her a sense of freedom and a way of expressing herself she had never previously considered. As her career continued to grow, Rose was cast in Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Summer of Rockets’ for BBC2, her first major television role. Theatre then came next, with Rose performing at the Royal Exchange Manchester and Birmingham Rep Theatre. As she began to commit herself to acting, the need to address the lack of representation and to improve inclusivity within the industry for deaf people became an increasingly important focus for Rose. Since joining the cast of EastEnders in 2020 as regular role Frankie Carter, the first deaf character to use BSL on the soap, Rose has firmly positioned herself as a much-loved figure on British television screens. This role has given her the platform to not only showcase her talents as an actor, but has initiated the beginning of Rose firmly marking herself out as the role model she felt she lacked as a young person. Then in 2021, Rose was propelled to the attention of the nation and wider industry as the first deaf contestant to appear on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. With her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, Rose went on to win the competition, lifting the glitterball at the end of the series. Her infectious passion for sharing deaf culture, along with her incredible performances endeared audiences to her from the start. Her and Giovanni’s ‘Silent Dance’ cleverly shone a light on the beauty and power that lies in difference. This dance has gone on to be considered as a landmark moment in television history, winning Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of the Year at this year’s BAFTAs. As she embarks on this next stage of her career, Rose is motivated not only to make exciting and important work as an actor but to continue advocating for the deaf community. Evidenced by her involvement in campaigning for the BSL Bill to be passed by Government, Rose’s passion for advocating for the rights of deaf people in the UK is at the core of what she does. Rose is incredibly honoured to be speaking at this year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival as the Alternative MacTaggart 2022.