Maya

Maya is a bright, outspoken, sparky character – someone who gets things done and makes things happen. She is confident, mature, and secure in her own Deaf identity. She has no time for Mel and can see right through her. She does what she can to take care of Kelly, whom she sees as a younger sister. She's quick-witted, perceptive and fiercely loyal to her friends – and to Michael, whom she respects and admires. Maya also has a powerful appetite for having a good time.

Maya is played by Deepa Shastri, a final-year BA business-studies student at Coventry University. When she was 13 years old Deepa, who is deaf, began to attend a drama class at the Unicorn Theatre in Leicester Square with Ray Harrison Graham and Sarah Scott as her teachers. GCSE exams intervened but at the BSL March in July 2000 at Trafalgar Square she bumped into Ray, who persuaded her to be part of the VEE-TV drama series.

Deepa loves watching all kinds of sports, integrating with deaf and hearing people. Most of all she loves going to 'outrageous' clubs! Her ambition is to become an actress.

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