The Last of Us cast were banned from saying one specific word on set

You can call HBO's smash hit television series The Last of Us many things.

Some have already described it as 'brilliant', while others dubbed it 'the best video game adaptation in years, if not ever'.

But one thing you aren't allowed to call it, under any circumstances, is a 'zombie' show,

In fact, the dreaded 'z' word was banned from the set entirely, cinematographer Eben Bolter revealed to pop culture site The Credits.

Sure, it might be a television show set in a post-apocalyptic world about humans that rise as monsters to attack and feed on those who remain, but that doesn't make it a zombie story, apparently.

As the old adage goes: If it shuffles like a zombie and behaves like a zombie, then it is a zombie.

Or something like that, anyway.

The Last of Us crew member revealed that it is the show's focus on 'naturalism' that sets it apart from other films and television series set in the same dystopian-action genre.

"It’s not a cliché zombie movie, it’s not Hollywood backlit where everyone’s close-up is perfect," he said.

"We weren’t allowed to say the Z word on set. It was like a banned word.

"They were 'the Infected'. We weren't a zombie show. Of course, there's tension building and jump scares but the show's really about our characters; The Infected are an obstacle they have to deal with," he added.

Right.

Sounds pretty zombie-like to us, but you guys do whatever you want, we guess.

Viewers found it odd that the word 'zombie' was 'banned' from a show - quite clearly - all about zombies.

"The Z word," one person wrote on Twitter, clearly not agreeing to the show's rule.

They added: "My gosh, this is so unnecessarily dramatic."

Another also couldn't wrap their head round the concept, posting: "What's up with zombie-related media and not saying the word 'zombie'? I don't get it."

"I love this show," a third admitted, "but everything I've heard about the production of it has been so pretentious lmao."

A final user added: "The Z word... Is it ever that serious?"

Regardless, it's clear that the news isn't going to stop loyal fans from tuning into the show.

The dystopian drama series even set a new record on Rotten Tomatoes and is clearly well-revered by audiences with the fourth episode, titled 'Please Hold to My Hand', currently standing at an impressive 100 percent on the Tomatometer.

Following main characters Joel (Pedro Pascal) who is responsible for transporting 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey),

It's fair to say that viewers have grown to love the show and the colorful characters within it, regardless of the 'zombies' or not-zombies.