The Last of Us cast learned sign language to ensure deaf co-star wasn’t left out of conversations

The Last Of Us cast and crew have been praised for learning sign language so one of their deaf actors wouldn’t be left out of conversations.

The fifth episode of the popular HBO show series follows Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who befriends Sam played by newcomer Keivonn Woodard.

Like his character - but unlike the video game version - Woodard is deaf in real life - and was cast in the role after creators wanted to reinvent Sam.

Lamar Johnson, who plays Sam’s brother in the post-apocalyptic show, revealed that he began learning American Sign Language (ASL) when he knew Woodard had been cast.

HBO

Johnson told TV Guide that he wanted their relationship to seem as genuine as possible.

He said: “I started taking lessons as soon as possible.

"Leading up to and even during filming I would be training, and I’d be working on my sign so that it can feel as organic as possible.

"Especially with Keivonn — Sam, being deaf in real life — I really wanted that communication to feel organic and authentic.”

However, Johnson wasn’t the only one to pick it up.

The rest of the cast and crew began using sign language to communicate effectively with Woodard.

Following his experience, Woodard hopes to inspire the young deaf actors - particularly those in the Black community: "I would say, you don’t have to be afraid! Don’t be afraid to try it out.

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Because that’s what my parents told me – to not be afraid to try out.

"I was a bit afraid at first, but I went ahead and overcame that, auditioned, and got the role with The Last of Us! I was mind-blown."

Behind-the-scenes footage shows Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, saying how some on set managed to pick up ASL fast.

He said Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, was particularly good at getting a hang of the hand signs.

The cast and crew were able to tell Keivonn how well he was doing, which was very much appreciated by the actor's mom.

She told the Daily Moth: "It was important to me to always be discussing with [Kevin] how he was feeling and how he felt working with his team.

"I had the expectations, of course, that him being deaf, I was ready for barriers, and problems to happen, but that was not the case at all!"

She added: "I’m thankful we had such a great team that was receptive and motivated along with us. We were very fortunate to have that great team."

While speaking on the official The Last Of Us podcast series, co-creator Craig Mazin explained why they wanted to deviate from the original character in the video game.

He said that while they were developing the relationship between the two brothers, Mazin began watching This Close, which follows two deaf characters.

While watching the series, he asked creator Neil Druckmann 'what if Sam was deaf?'

He added: “It automatically brings a certain kind of intimacy to those scenes because they’re quiet.

“There’s a lot of talking, this is a very verbal show and Ellie talks a lot.

"And it was interesting to sort of see what would it be like if it were just quieter and also [to] put Henry and Sam in this bubble that had to expand to include Joel and Ellie because it had been so quiet between the two of them since obviously, they use sign language.”