Entertainment
See The Last of Us Cast Side-by-Side with Their Video Game Characters
The Last of Us is set decades after a pandemic broke out across the United States in a society overtaken by an infection that turns people into undead zombie-like “clickers.”
But before the show’s first season, which earned five Emmy nominations, The Last of Us was a NaughtyDog video game. Following in the steps of season 1, season 2 of the show consists of seven episodes and is based on the sequel video game, The Last of Us Part II, per Deadline.
The first season was led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who brought the beloved characters of Joel and Ellie to life. Now, the new season, premiering on April 13, adds more faces familiar to gamers, like Abby Anderson, a controversial character played by Kaitlyn Dever.
“Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material,” Mazin and co-creator Neil Druckmann said when announcing Dever’s casting, per Variety.
“Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella and the rest of our family,” they continued.
Here’s a look at the cast of The Last of Us side-by-side with their counterparts from the original video games.
Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller
Pedro Pascal plays survivor Joel Miller, the main character of the first Last of Us video game, who protects 14-year-old Ellie as they travel across a post-apocalyptic America.
“This job definitely created a new chapter in my life in a profound way, I think because of the personal experience I had making the show,” Pascal said in a virtual press conference ahead of the second season.
“And then, of course, the way the show was received … in a way that is in measure with, like, how deeply important it means to all of us is a rare thing,” he continued. “It will never happen again.”
Aside from lighting up the screen in The Last of Us, Pascal can be seen later this year in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Eddington.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams
Bella Ramsey reprises their role as Ellie Williams in the second season of The Last of Us — and teased that there some emotional moments ahead for Ellie.
“I actually cried reading one of the scripts this season,” Ramsey told Jimmy Fallon when they stopped by The Tonight Show on April 7. “I’ve never cried reading a piece of writing before, but I did. I’m excited, though, for those scenes. Those are the ones that, like, I’m thrilled about.”
“Whenever there’s something dark and intense, I’m into it,” Ramsey added.
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson
Booksmart star Kaitlyn Dever joins the second season as Abby Anderson, a controversial and polarizing character introduced in The Last of Us Part II.
In addition to Ellie, Abby is one of the two playable characters in the video game sequel. She “is a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved,” according to Deadline.
Nico Parker as Sarah Miller
Nico Parker plays Sarah Miller, the daughter of Joel who is tragically killed in the first episode of The Last of Us.
“I really feel like I needed him in my life at the time that he walked into it. We just kind of latched onto each other,” Parker told PEOPLE about working with Pascal, who played her on-screen dad.
Nick Offerman as Bill
Nick Offerman plays Bill, a survivalist who falls in love with Frank (Murray Bartlett). Even though he only appeared in one episode, it was a standout, earning the actor an Emmy for his heartbreaking portrayal.
In his acceptance speech for his Independent Spirit Award for the role, Offerman defended the show from criticism.
“Thanks to HBO for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition that is truly independent,” he said, per Entertainment Weekly. “Stories with guts that when homophobic hate comes my way and says, ‘Why did you have to make it a gay story?’ We say, ‘Because you ask questions like that. It’s not a gay story, it’s a love story, you a——!’ ”
Storm Reid as Riley
Storm Reid plays Riley, Ellie’s friend and teenage crush who’s featured in a season 1 flashback episode. The two share a romantic night in an abandoned mall before things take a dark turn.
Reid won her first Emmy for her performance. In her acceptance speech, Reid said the part made her “re-fall in love with storytelling.”
“It’s not that I fell out of love with storytelling, but I think my role in The Last of Us really reinforced my love and passion to be able to tell meaningful stories and to be a representation for young women, young Black women, young, queer Black women,” Reid said, per Teen Vogue. “It was absolutely special to watch and I always say that I feel like I would be a big fan of the show, even if I wasn’t a part of the show.”
Gabriel Luna as Tommy Miller
Gabriel Luna is Tommy Miller, the younger brother of Joel. The two have an emotional reunion in the sixth episode of the first season.
He will be returning in the second season and is a bit “free wheeling,” as Luna told Gaming Bible.
Lamar Johnson as Henry
Lamar Johnson plays Henry, a boy whom Joel and Ellie meet while hiding from Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey).
Johnson was a fan of the video game even before landing the role of Henry.
“Knowing the story from the game, the idea of me being a part of the adaptation — especially with HBO, and hearing that Craig Mazin is behind it, Neil Druckmann,” Johnson told TV Guide. “I jumped at the opportunity.”
Keivonn Woodard as Sam
Keivonn Woodard plays Sam, the deaf younger brother of Henry. Woodard told Men’s Health that he formed a real-life brotherly bond with Johnson, since they would play on their phones and roughhouse together between takes.
The actor scored an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor for his role, becoming the first Black deaf actor to do so, according to Deadline.
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