| Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Rose Ayling-Ellis |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 2 x 1 hour |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 26 March – 2 April 2025 |
Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks is a 2025 BBC documentary two-part television series. [1] In it, deaf British actress Rose Ayling-Ellis teaches British sign language (BSL) to people at a retirement home, Hughenden Gardens Retirement Village, in Buckinghamshire. It premiered on BBC One and BBC iplayer on 26 March 2025. [2] [3]
After the first episode was broadcast, some viewers called the series "uplifting" and "amazing". [4] The series has been well-reviewed. Deaf writer and filmmaker Charlie Swinbourne wrote, "It had everything you could hope for: charismatic presenters and relatable, sympathetic contributors,.. and a strong social message – that learning BSL can have a huge benefit for older deafened people". [3] Rebecca Nicholson, writing in The Guardian , gave it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a "smart, nuanced documentary that blossoms into something profound". [1]
The residents carried on having weekly BSL lessons after the series finished. [5]