Deaf Actor Is Huge Talent, Says Adrian Scarborough

Adrian Scarborough has said a deaf actor who appeared alongside him in crime show The Chelsea Detective is “a huge talent” who will “go a long, long way”.

Jude Powell from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, made his TV debut playing a deaf and non-verbal barman.

Co-star Scarborough is best known for his role in comedy Gavin and Stacey.

Powell, 21, said Scarborough “made me feel very welcome” and added: “It’s so wonderful that there are many more opportunities for deaf actors now compared with six or more years ago.”

He also paid tribute to deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis “for making such a big difference and driving positive change.”

Powell’s acting journey began at Heathlands School for deaf children in St Albans, where he had the opportunity to perform on screen.

He later joined Deafinitely Theatre in London, which “had a huge impact on my acting career by teaching me to express emotion more physically and clearly.”

Acting gave him the chance “to bring a unique layer of expression to the screen and stage through British Sign Language (BSL), which is my first language”, he continued.

In the Chelsea Detective episode Myths and Legends, which centres on a stolen coin, Powell plays the role of Jake Green, who works at a pub and also scours the River Thames for treasure as a mudlark.

He said different BSL interpreters and consultants were on set each day, “to ensure that deaf and hearing actors work together smoothly”.

“Most of the crew have deaf awareness, and one of the main characters is played by deaf actress Sophie Stone,” he said.

“On my first day on set, Adrian spotted me, came over to say hello, and used a bit of sign language, like the sign for ‘nice’.”

Scarborough, who comes from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, was full of praise for the new actor.

“He really is an extraordinary guy. Just completely brilliant – it was so wonderful to watch him acting.

“We have another deaf actor in the show, Sophie, and it was really wonderful to have moments of them together.

“He writes and makes film too. I think he’s a huge talent and will go a long, long way.

“You’ll be seeing a lot more of him, for certain.”