As Silent Witness series 27 unfolds on BBC One, the spotlight continues to shine on actress Rhiannon May, who reprises her role as Cara Connelly in the latest episodes. Fans of the show, who tuned in during 2021 and 2022, will recall Cara’s pivotal connection to Jack Hodgson.

So, who exactly is Cara Connelly, what ties her to Jack, and is Rhiannon May, the actress portraying her, deaf in real life? Here’s the lowdown!

Cara Connelly: Jack Hodgson’s Niece

Cara Connelly made her debut in 2021, appearing in episodes like Bad Love and Brother’s Keeper. Jack Hodgson, portrayed by Rhiannon May, played a crucial role in reuniting Cara with her estranged father. As the storyline progressed, Cara became an integral part of the series, forming a close bond with Jack.

In series 27’s episodes 3 and 4, titled Grievance Culture, Cara takes on a significant role, further weaving her character into the show’s narrative.

Cara’s Evolution in the Series

Series 25 saw Cara’s unexpected appearance, linked to a secret from Jack’s father that took him to Belfast on a mission. As familial secrets unravelled, Jack and Cara shared an emotional heart-to-heart, solidifying their connection. In series 26, Cara returned as a trainee at Lyell Centre, studying criminology under her uncle’s guidance.

Rhiannon May, in an exciting return, portrays Cara as a regular character in series 27, leaving room for speculation about her potential future involvement with the team.

Rhiannon May’s Insight into Cara

Rhiannon May expressed her excitement about portraying a deaf character like Cara, stating, “It’s exciting that the BBC and Silent Witness want to show a wonderful deaf character. They want to show her in lots of different lights and take the opportunity to show a lot of different kinds of ways of communicating.”

Cara’s journey involves studying criminology at university and pursuing real-life, professional experience through an internship at Lyell. Rhiannon highlights Cara’s curiosity and eagerness to learn, even if it means taking on more responsibility.

Debunking the Jack-Cara Paternity Twist  

In series 24, a dramatic revelation hints at the possibility that Cara might be Jack’s daughter rather than his niece. However, the subsequent storyline clarified that Cara is indeed Jack’s niece, not his daughter.

Meet Rhiannon May

Rhiannon May, also known as Rhiannon Jones, made her debut as Cara Connelly in 2021, marking her first-ever TV role. Born and raised in Nottingham, Rhiannon, who was 21 when she joined Silent Witness, has since become a rising star.

Despite her youth, Rhiannon’s performance has garnered praise, especially from the dedicated Silent Witness fanbase. Beyond Silent Witness, she has appeared in the short film Silent Pride as Ffion and The Riley Sisters as Jess.

Rhiannon May: A Deaf Actress Breaking Barriers

Rhiannon May, who has worn a hearing aid since her teenage years, is a proud deaf actress. She emphasises that her deafness is not a barrier to her acting career, stating, “My deafness has never been and will never be the barrier I face in my career.”

As Silent Witness series 27 continues to unfold, viewers can anticipate more captivating twists in Cara Connelly’s storyline and Rhiannon May’s compelling portrayal of the character.