Maya

Maya is someone who gets things done and makes things happen. She's confident, mature and secure in her Deaf identity. She's also sparky, perceptive, outspoken and fiercely loyal to her friends. And she likes to have a good time! In series four, Maya is looking for romance …

'I had so much fun meeting all these good-looking men,' says Deepa Shastri, who plays the part. 'Some of them were my real friends, and it was strange to act as if we were sort of attracted to each other! Every series of RUSH I have done has always been a different experience, as Maya always has a different issue. This time it was dating – a roller-coaster ride.

'I feel RUSH 4 demonstrates a real collaboration which has grown from the experience we have gained over the years. There are many twists and turns that will keep you on your toes.'

Deepa met the RUSH director, Ray Harrison Graham, when he taught her in the drama class at the Unicorn Theatre. GCSE exams intervened but at the BSL March in July 2000 at Trafalgar Square she bumped into Ray again, and he persuaded her to be part of the VEE-TV drama series.

Since then Deepa has played a variety of roles on TV, in films and in the theatre, including Zoe in the BBC's See Hear – Switch and Aisha in Hear No Evil, a short film for Carlton TV. She recently appeared on stage in The Vagina Monologues, directed by Jenny Sealey of Graeae Theatre, and worked as a children's presenter for a pilot sign-language channel on Sky TV.

Deepa is currently working for the British Deaf Association. Her main passions are travelling, meeting people from all over the world, sign songs, salsa, and deepening her knowledge of subjects such as philosophy, world issues, theology – 'Anything,' she says, 'that keeps my brain ticking over. And last but not least, acting!'

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