ITV viewers were delighted with the “fantastic” use of sign language in The Bay.
The gritty police drama, set in Morecambe, returned to screens with the latest chapter in its third season on Wednesday night (January 26) at 9pm.
The series follows DS Jenn Townsend (played by Marsha Thomason), who is tasked with cracking a chilling murder case – after the body of young boxer Saif Rahman is washed up on the bay on her first day in the job.
Fans were delighted at another aspect of the drama on Wednesday night, though.
That’s because the episode featured a “fantastic” conversation between two characters who were using sign language.
(Image: ITV)
In the scene, schoolboy Jamal Rahman (played by deaf actor Nadeem Islam) opens up to DS Karen Hobson (Erin Shanagher) after the death of his brother Saif.
Jamal also spoke about how his family treat him negatively because of his deafness.
He told the officer: “I’m not important. They all ignore me. They think because I can’t hear I don’t listen.”
Fans were impressed with the use of signing, and many complimented the show for it on Twitter.
(Image: ITV)
One said: “Excellent to see sign language used so well in #TheBay”
A second wrote: “The representation of British Sign Langauge in The Bay has been phenomenal.
“It’s fantastic they’ve invested time into delivering lengthy scenes to properly portray it on TV. Representation always matters, but awareness is of equal importance.
A third commented: “The sign language is everything we need to see moving forward and something I would love to learn personally”
A fourth said: “That whole chat with Jamal was just brilliant.”
(Image: ITV)
Another fan previously said: “It’s so good to see the inclusion of sign language being used on the show”
A sixth penned: “Also would like 2 say absolutely fantastic job by @ErinShanagher using sign language, oh id so luv 2 learn 2 sign, fantastic job by #THEBAY”
According to a synopsis for the show, DS Townsend is: “immediately thrown into the deep end when a body is found in the bay on her first day in the job.
“She must get under the skin of a grieving and complicated family if she has any chance of solving the premature death of an aspiring young boxer (Saif).
“While she’s eager to give the family answers, she also needs to prove herself as the team’s newest recruit.”
Speaking about his role, Nadeem told Digital Spy: “He’s a complex character who I relate to in some respects, but not on all levels.
“To give you some context, he knows far too much, goes through a lot and yet still maintains hope. He respects his significant others very highly which was an interesting dynamic to explore with the cast.”
When asked what it was like as a deaf actor working during the pandemic with the crew wearing masks on set, he said: “I must say, at first, I got ‘Deaf anxiety’ and expected the worst.
“But with my wonderful BSL interpreter Emma and the crew, who had learned to sign a little from the BSL training that was provided, everything suddenly became so smooth.
“In production the whole team used clear masks as well, so that I could easily lip-read. It takes great hearts to make everything accessible and the cast and crew at The Bay had that.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
