--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's been incredibly special to be…" description: "\"It's been incredibly special to be 'EastEnders' first regular deaf actor.\" — Rose Ayling-Ellis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_actor_it-s-been-incredibly-special-to-be-easte_243158.jpg" --- # It's been incredibly special to be 'EastEnders' first… ![“It's been incredibly special to be 'EastEnders' first regular deaf actor.” quote by Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_actor_it-s-been-incredibly-special-to-be-easte_243158.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_actor_it-s-been-incredibly-special-to-be-easte_243158.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b03/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_actor_it-s-been-incredibly-special-to-be-easte_243158.jpg) > “It's been incredibly special to be 'EastEnders' first regular deaf actor.” [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being the first deaf actor on a popular TV show is a unique and meaningful achievement. **In simple terms:** First deaf actor on EastEnders is special. Key Takeaway Celebrate and promote inclusion. Themes representation disability media breakthrough Mood inspired hopeful Type motivational social. When to use this quote - casting decisions - public awareness campaigns - education - policy advocacy Key Concepts visibility diversity advocacy role models Questions to Reflect On - How can media further support disabled talent? - What impact does representation have on audiences? A Different Perspective Inclusion alone doesn’t solve systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ## Related quotes > [Just hiring a deaf actor is not a job well done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/just-hiring-a-deaf-actor-is-not-a-job-well-done/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [As a deaf actor, doing Shakespeare feels quite scary. But I feel like I get braver all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/as-a-deaf-actor-doing-shakespeare-feels-quite-scary-but-i-feel-like-i/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [What I'm going to make sure happens, if I have anything to say about it, now that people are listening - we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/what-i-m-going-to-make-sure-happens-if-i-have-anything-to-say-about/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [How is a young deaf actor supposed to get their foot in the door, when the door is firmly shut on them from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/how-is-a-young-deaf-actor-supposed-to-get-their-foot-in-the-door-when/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [Sometimes as a deaf actor navigating television and film, I fret that I am asking for too much or am slowing things down, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ridloff/sometimes-as-a-deaf-actor-navigating-television-and-film-i-fret-that/) [Lauren Ridloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ridloff/) > [If it wasn't for 'EastEnders,' I would never have gotten 'Strictly,' and 'EastEnders' were the ones that were brave enough to hire a deaf,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/if-it-wasn-t-for-eastenders-i-would-never-have-gotten-strictly-and/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [Being the first deaf person to play a regular character is a huge privilege and was long overdue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/being-the-first-deaf-person-to-play-a-regular-character-is-a-huge/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I was thrown to suddenly find myself considered a deaf pioneer, the poster girl for the deaf community. It came with new pressures that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-was-thrown-to-suddenly-find-myself-considered-a-deaf-pioneer-the/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I love being deaf because it's given me a purpose, it's given me something to aim for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-love-being-deaf-because-it-s-given-me-a-purpose-it-s-given-me/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I feel like now that I've finished 'EastEnders,' I want to do more TV programmes and explore more about deaf people's experiences. It's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-feel-like-now-that-i-ve-finished-eastenders-i-want-to-do-more-tv/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I never really saw deaf people on TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-never-really-saw-deaf-people-on-tv/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [We hear a lot about being female and how women appear in the dating scene, but as a deaf woman, it's a very different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/we-hear-a-lot-about-being-female-and-how-women-appear-in-the-dating/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [A lot of deaf people experience feeling left out. Feeling lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/a-lot-of-deaf-people-experience-feeling-left-out-feeling-lonely/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I believe that diverse, rich, and fascinating deaf stories are ready to go mainstream and that we can do this, together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-believe-that-diverse-rich-and-fascinating-deaf-stories-are-ready-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) ## More by Rose Ayling-Ellis > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I can hear someone singing, but I can't identify exact words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-can-hear-someone-singing-but-i-can-t-identify-exact-words/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I believe that diverse, rich, and fascinating deaf stories are ready to go mainstream and that we can do this, together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-believe-that-diverse-rich-and-fascinating-deaf-stories-are-ready-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [It is not nice to feel frustrated and unheard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/it-is-not-nice-to-feel-frustrated-and-unheard/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I am a big believer of getting yourself out of your comfort zone, because that's where you grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-am-a-big-believer-of-getting-yourself-out-of-your-comfort-zone/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [When I was little, I would draw hearing aids onto my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/when-i-was-little-i-would-draw-hearing-aids-onto-my-barbie-dolls-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [A lot of deaf people experience feeling left out. Feeling lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/a-lot-of-deaf-people-experience-feeling-left-out-feeling-lonely/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [Before I had an agent, I tried to apply for Spotlight membership and was rejected more than once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/before-i-had-an-agent-i-tried-to-apply-for-spotlight-membership-and/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I am disabled because I live and work in a world that disables me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-am-disabled-because-i-live-and-work-in-a-world-that-disables-me/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I feel really glad that I knew who I was from a very early age. I never ever once thought: 'I wish I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-feel-really-glad-that-i-knew-who-i-was-from-a-very-early-age-i/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [DYT, under the direction of Paula Garfield, was my first experience of deaf performing arts and I loved my time there. It provides such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/dyt-under-the-direction-of-paula-garfield-was-my-first-experience-of/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I can dance, and I can count.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-can-dance-and-i-can-count/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I had to break through countless barriers to get to where I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-had-to-break-through-countless-barriers-to-get-to-where-i-am/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I love crime dramas. They're horrible but I find them fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-love-crime-dramas-they-re-horrible-but-i-find-them-fascinating/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [We hear a lot about being female and how women appear in the dating scene, but as a deaf woman, it's a very different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/we-hear-a-lot-about-being-female-and-how-women-appear-in-the-dating/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) [Explore all 69 Rose Ayling-Ellis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. 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Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. 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