Max is the first streaming platform to offer an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the premiere episodes of a major series, like The Last of Us season two. The second season of the Emmy-winning video game adaptation will launch with the availability to stream in ASL upon each episode’s weekly release.
For the first time, HBO offers its original programming in ASL upon the episode’s release, available to stream on Max. There are also American Sign Language versions of Warner Bros. films like Barbie, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The expansion of these offerings is to increase the streaming services’ accessibility to all viewers.
Daniel Durant, best known for starring as Leo Rossi in the Academy Award-winning film CODA, will perform The Last of Us with ASL episodes. Also performing is Leila Hanaumi, who delivered a highly acclaimed performance in Barbie with ASL. Barbie was the first film on Max to feature ASL interpretation. Hanaunmi also directed the first season of The Last of Us with American Sign Language.
“We are thrilled to expand our ASL program and debut our first HBO original series in ASL with The Last of Us,” said Naomi Waibel, SVP of Global Product Management at WBD. “This debut brings the show to life in an authentic and fully accessible way for Deaf audiences and is another meaningful step towards our goal of offering an inclusive streaming experience.”
If you need to catch up with the first season, no worries. Season one of The Last of Us in ASL is available to stream starting March 31. Season two debuts on April 13 at 6:00 PM PT.
Content shared from nerdist.com.