The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Familiar Faces and New Additions to the HBO Saga

As The Last of Us gears up for its highly-anticipated second season in 2025, the casting revelations are adding excitement to the mix. Here’s a glimpse into who’s joining the ensemble, reprising their roles, and who might make a return to the post-apocalyptic world crafted by Naughty Dog’s PlayStation series.

New Faces

1. Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

• The Role: Abby, a skilled soldier with a complex worldview seeking vengeance for her loved ones.
• Background: Known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified.
• In Their Words: “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,” say co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.

2. Young Mazino as Jesse

• The Role: Jesse, a community pillar putting others’ needs before his own, sometimes at great cost.
• Background: Young Mazino, a standout in the entertainment scene.
• Creators’ Perspective: “Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him,” express Mazin and Druckmann.

3. Isabella Merced as Dina

• The Role: Dina, Ellie’s partner in the Jackson community, a warm and lovable character.
• Background: Isabella Merced, known for her roles in Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight.
• Creators’ Take: Described as “warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable” by Mazin and Druckmann.

Returning Cast

1. Pedro Pascal as Joel

• The Character: Joel, who took extreme measures to save Ellie in the previous season.
• Background: Pedro Pascal, a familiar face returning to the role.
• Memorable Moment: The last season saw Joel lying to Ellie, sparking intrigue about their future dynamic.

2. Bella Ramsey as Ellie

• The Character: Ellie, navigating a world filled with lies and uncertainties.
• Background: Bella Ramsey, reprising her role alongside Pedro Pascal.
• Unexplored Territory: Season 2 is expected to delve into Ellie’s reaction to Joel’s revelations.

Possibly Returning Faces

1. Gabriel Luna as Tommy

• The Character: Tommy, Joel’s brother with a significant role in The Last of Us Part 2.
• Expectation: High likelihood of a return, considering Tommy’s impactful presence in the second game.

2. Rutina Wesley as Maria

• The Character: Maria, a leader in the Jackson community and Tommy’s wife.
• Outlook: Anticipated return due to her influential position and previous interactions.

3. Merle Dandridge as Marlene

• The Character: Marlene, a key figure in Season 1, appearing in flashbacks during The Last of Us Part 2.
• Expectation: Flashbacks may provide glimpses of Marlene’s character in the upcoming season.

4. Anna Torv as Tess

• The Character: Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel in Boston.
• Possibility: While absent in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks could revisit Joel and Tess’s past.

Unlikely Returns

The poignant episode featuring Nick Offerman’s Bill and Murray Bartlett’s Frank received acclaim. While their love story concludes, hopes for a spin-off or prequel series have been dismissed by series creator Craig Mazin.

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