• The Final of Us season 2 brings again 4 main characters from season 1, and introduces a number of extra.
• New forged members embrace Kaitlyn Dever, Catherine O'Hara, and Jeffrey Wright, amongst others.
• The seven-episode sophomore season premieres on Sunday, April 13.

Just like the online game it's based mostly on, The Last of Us season 1 ends on a observe that's concurrently hopeful and disquieting. Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) survived a post-apocalyptic, zombie-ridden wasteland, however at what price?

As beforehand reported by Entertainment Weekly, The Last of Us season 2 picks up 5 years after the occasions of season 1, with Joel and Ellie residing within the Jackson, Wyo., commune run by Maria (Rutina Wesley) and Joel's brother, Tommy (Gabriel Luna). Quickly, nonetheless, the peace they've been having fun with is disrupted not by zombies, however by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a soldier with revenge on her thoughts.

To say greater than that might be to say an excessive amount of, although anybody who's performed the games upon which The Last of Us is based is aware of that issues are going to get very darkish, very quick. Additionally they know that the brand new season brings with it an entire slew of recent characters.

"There are issues that can shock individuals, issues that had been within the recreation, issues that weren’t within the recreation, and that's okay," stated showrunner Craig Mazin, who developed the collection alongside one of many recreation's creator, Neil Druckmann. "So long as they're purposeful, they're not there to simply merely shock. We aren’t involved in creating social media concern. We simply wish to inform the story the best way we expect it needs to be informed."

He added, "Will there be furor? Yeah, most likely. I imply, there often is, beginning even with casting."

With that in thoughts, let's discover the brand new and acquainted faces making up The Final of Us season 2 forged, in addition to how they deviate in look and temperament from their in-game counterparts. Alongside the best way, we'll refresh you on the place every character stands coming into the brand new season.

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Bella Ramsey as Ellie

Although only a pre-teen on the time, Bella Ramsey made troopers quake of their boots because the silver-tongued Lyanna Mormont on Sport of Thrones (2016–2019). Earlier than The Final of Us, Ramsey appeared in Lena Dunham's Catherine Known as Birdy (2022) and voiced the title function in Netflix's Hilda (2018-2023).

For his or her flip as fierce and weak apocalypse survivor Ellie in season 1 of The Final of Us, Ramsey earned an Excellent Lead Actress in a Drama nomination on the Emmys. Within the video games, the function was performed to nice acclaim by Ashley Johnson, who made a cameo in a season 1 flashback as Ellie's mom.

The final time we noticed Ellie

Within the season 1 finale, Ellie was able to die if it meant a vaccine for the cordyceps virus. Keep in mind: The distinctive circumstances of her beginning gave Ellie immunity from cordyceps, and Firefly medical doctors imagine they will use her mind to create a treatment. The process, nonetheless, will end in her dying.

"After every thing I've been by way of? Every part I've accomplished? It will possibly't be for nothing," Ellie stated to Joel earlier within the finale. "There's no midway with this. We end what we began."

The Last of Us Easter eggs guide: All the show's major game references 'The Last of Us' creator revisits 'Part 2' fan reactions

However Joel isn't able to let her go. He sabotages the surgical procedure, killing the Fireflies and absconding with an unconscious Ellie. She wakes in a automobile on the best way to Wyoming, confused. Joel lies, telling her the medical doctors "couldn't make any of it work," however that there are a "entire lot extra such as you who’re immune, dozens of 'em." One other lie.

As they strategy the Jackson camp, Ellie asks Joel point-blank if he's mendacity in regards to the occasions on the Firefly hospital: "Swear to me that every thing you stated in regards to the Fireflies is true."

He does, however the season ends on an uneasy observe, with Ellie's face crammed with doubt.

The place Ellie stands now

Ellie begins season 2 in Jackson, Wyo., the place she's residing as regular of a teenage life as one can on the earth of The Final of Us. She has buddies, crushes, and hobbies, however rigidity simmers beneath the floor of her relationship with Joel.

Pascal praised Ramsey's authority on the set of season 2. "I believe all of us actually appeared to Bella this time round so far as the forged is anxious, and [there was] this type of open permission to be ourselves and to associate collectively within the scenes, and I believe that it’s this type of unstated management that made it such a simple, horrifying place to step into," he stated throughout a SXSW panel earlier this month.

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Pedro Pascal as Joel

Like Ramsey, Pascal's large break got here through Sport of Thrones, which discovered him taking part in the Crimson Viper, Oberyn Martell. He'd been appearing for many years previous to the function, however the Chilean-American actor is now main tentpole initiatives like The Mandalorian (2019–current), Gladiator 2 (2024), and this yr's upcoming The Fantastic Four.

Pascal, taking on the function from Troy Baker, was nominated for an Emmy for his efficiency as Joel in season 1 of The Final of Us.

The final time we noticed Joel

Joel spent nearly all of season 1 brooding and standoffish, particularly round Ellie, who reminds him of the daughter he misplaced on the daybreak of cordyceps. By the finale, he's grown hotter along with her, talking about all of the issues he desires of them doing collectively. After every thing they've been by way of, he's come to think about her like a daughter.

That's why he couldn't stand idly by as Ellie died by the hands of the Firefly medical doctors. "Discover another person," he says to Firefly chief Marlene (Merle Dandridge), however there is no such thing as a one else. As he's escorted out of the hospital, Joel fights again, killing a dozen or extra Fireflies earlier than executing the physician within the working room and leaving with an unconscious Ellie.

Marlene is ready for him within the parking storage. "You’ll be able to't hold her protected eternally," she says. "How lengthy till she's killed as a result of she lives in a damaged world that you might've saved?" Joel is unmoved and kills Marlene.

When Ellie wakes up within the automobile on the best way to Wyoming, he lies in regards to the surgical procedure not being possible.

Joel additionally brings up his late daughter, Sarah, as they strategy camp, saying she and Ellie would've been buddies. However Ellie is withdrawn. She has him swear that he's not mendacity to her about what occurred on the hospital. He does, unable to confess that he merely couldn't let her go — even when it meant a treatment for cordyceps.

The place Joel stands now

Joel begins the season in Jackson, Wyo., with Ellie and his brother, Tommy (Luna), however he's battling the lies he informed his ward following their escape from the Firefly hospital on the finish of season 1. He's even begun seeing a therapist, Gail (Catherine O'Hara).

Pascal addressed the "extremely painful distance" between Joel and Ellie in an interview with Variety: "My mindset was grateful to be again and but, on the similar time, this expertise, greater than every other I've had, is difficult for me to separate what the characters are going by way of and the way it makes me really feel, in a approach that isn't very wholesome. And so I type of really feel their ache."

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Gabriel Luna as Tommy

Gabriel Luna is maybe greatest generally known as Robbie Reyes (a.ok.a. Ghost Rider) on ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Different notable credit embrace True Detective (2015), Love, Demise & Robots (2022), and FUBAR (2023). He's at the moment slated to look in season 2 of Amazon Prime's The Terminal Listing.

The final time we noticed Tommy

We final noticed Tommy, Joel's brother, in episode 6 of the primary season. Alongside along with his pregnant spouse, Maria, Tommy is likely one of the leaders of a walled-in camp in Jackson, Wyo., that's as superior as any Joel and Ellie have seen. It has electrical energy, plumbing, and a communal spirit.

"This place really f—ing works," says an impressed Joel.

Although Tommy was as ruthless as Joel, he's settled down in Jackson. He additionally makes it clear that Joel should do the identical if he desires to remain. They don't need any bother there…

The place Tommy stands now

Luna's Tommy performs an even bigger function in season 2 than he did within the story's earlier chapter. He's additionally the daddy to a younger youngster. Within the upcoming episodes, Tommy will likely be a key participant within the occasions that jeopardize the camp's security.

Throughout a press conference moderated by Variety, Pascal famous that his scenes with Luna had been a pleasure to play after being separated for a lot of season 1. "I had you there once I really feel like a variety of the flesh of my character began to show itself and bought to be performed," he stated whereas addressing Luna. "So in season 2, it felt like an actual pure constructing of what we had established as characters and as scene companions."

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Rutina Wesley as Maria

Rutina Wesley rose to prominence as Sookie's pal Tara Thornton on HBO's True Blood (2008–2014), and would go on to look in plenty of in style collection, together with Hannibal (2015), Arrow (2015–2017), and Queen Sugar (2016–2022).

The final time we noticed Maria

Like Tommy, we final noticed Maria in season 1, episode 6. A former assistant district legal professional, she leads the Jackson commune, having been democratically elected by its residents after residing there for seven years. She's additionally pregnant with Tommy's youngster. Later, we study that she beforehand had a son, Kevin, who died.

Devoted as she is to preserving the peace, Maria is cautious of Joel's presence, having heard about his darkish previous from Tommy. She even forbade Tommy from speaking with Joel.

She hints at her mistrust when talking with Ellie. "Watch out who you place your religion in," she says. "The one individuals who can betray us are those we belief."

The place Maria stands now

5 years after the occasions of season 1, Maria continues to steer the Jackson camp with Tommy, although she and Tommy now have toddler Benji in tow.

"I believe it raised the stakes, completely, having a toddler," Wesley informed EW. "We’re going to survive in no matter approach we are able to, however for Maria, it's household first. So no matter she must do to make sure that Benji's protected, she's going to do it. She's all the time been that type of a girl, however now there's only a totally different edge to it as a result of there's one other life that she's answerable for."

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Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

Kaitlyn Dever's profession picked up steam with supporting roles on FX's Justified (2011–2015) and ABC's Final Man Standing (2011–2021), although it was her main flip in Olivia Wilde's Booksmart that took her to a different echelon.

Just lately, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her efficiency on the Hulu miniseries Dopesick (2021). This yr, she led the Netflix collection Apple Cider Vinegar.

Who’s Abby?

Abby is a pivotal character in The Final of Us Half II, knocking over the dominos that set the season in movement (and make her a goal of Ellie's wrath). With a watch in direction of spoilers, HBO describes her as "a talented soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for these she liked."

One main change between the sport and the collection considerations Abby's physique. As performed by the sport's Laura Bailey, Abby is imposing and really muscular. The majority wasn't as crucial for the collection, per Druckmann. "There's not as a lot violent motion second to second," he beforehand informed EW. "It's extra in regards to the drama. I'm not saying there's no motion right here. It's simply, once more, totally different priorities and the way you strategy it."

Why HBO's The Last of Us will give us Abby's backstory much earlier than the game

Mazin, in the meantime, spoke to us in regards to the worth of taking a unique strategy than the sport. "I, personally, suppose that there’s a tremendous alternative right here to delve into somebody who is maybe bodily extra weak than the Abby within the recreation, however whose spirit is stronger," he informed us. "After which the query is, 'The place does her formidable nature come from and the way does it manifest?' That's one thing that will likely be explored now and later."

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Isabel Merced as Dina

As a toddler, Isabela Merced led Nickelodeon's 100 Issues to Do Earlier than Excessive College (2014–2016) and appeared in movies like Transformers: The Final Knight (2017) and On the spot Household (2018). Since then, she performed the title function in Dora and the Misplaced Metropolis of Gold (2019) and dipped her toe on the earth of horror with a supporting function in final yr's Alien: Romulus.

Who’s Dina?

Dina, a teen within the Jackson commune, is a key character in The Final of Us Half II. Ellie nurses a crush on Dina, but additionally struggles with Dina being the ex of Jesse (Younger Mazino), one in every of her closest buddies. It's not a love triangle, per se, nevertheless it nonetheless serves to complicate issues.

HBO describes her as "a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will likely be examined by the brutality of the world they inhabit."

"Dina within the recreation doesn't actually have a variety of backstory," Merced not too long ago informed EW. "We get to broaden upon her story a bit of bit extra on this season.”

She added, "I believe I introduced perhaps a vulnerability that you would be able to't actually really feel in a online game, and an openness. I wished to verify she wasn't simply one of the best buddy, that she had a bit of bit extra depth. I believe Craig did an incredible job with the writing, however then all I needed to do was ensure that my coronary heart was open.”

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Younger Mazino as Jesse

After a string of small roles in exhibits like Blue Bloods (2019) and Prodigal Son (2020), Younger Mazino scored an Emmy nomination for his affecting flip as Paul on Netflix's Beef (2023). This yr, he appeared in A24's Opus reverse Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich.

Who’s Jesse?

Jesse, an ex of Dina and a detailed buddy to Ellie within the Jackson camp, is described by HBO as "a pillar of his neighborhood who places everybody else's wants earlier than his personal, generally at horrible price."

In a latest interview, Mazino mentioned Jesse's dependability. “It could possibly be a power in sure conditions and an amazing weak point in others,” he stated. “However… it’s like a burden that he takes willfully.”

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Joe Pantoliano as Eugene

Joe Pantoliano's been a constant presence in movie and tv for the reason that mid-'70s, although he's probably greatest recognized for his Emmy-winning efficiency as Ralphie Cifaretto on The Sopranos (2001–2004).

Just lately, he reprised his character from Michael Bay's Unhealthy Boys franchise in Unhealthy Boys For Life (2020) and Unhealthy Boys: Journey or Die (2024).

Who’s Eugene?

Like Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett in season 1 of The Last of Us, Pantoliano will get the chance to deliver dimension to a personality we solely meet briefly within the recreation. In actual fact, all we see of Eugene within the recreation is a photograph, although we do study a bit about him from his deserted hashish den.

"I get excited once I see these alternatives," Druckmann informed Variety of the storyline. "I'm like, 'Oh, I don't know Eugene that properly!' The story we informed [in the game] was considerably superficial. The best way this character is available in actually will get to the center of Joel and Ellie and their relationship."

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Jeffrey Wright as Isaac

Jeffrey Wright is the winner of Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe awards. He was additionally nominated for an Academy Award for his turn in American Fiction (2023). He's had main roles on HBO's Boardwalk Empire (2013–2014) and Westworld (2016–2022), and has been a spotlight of Wes Anderson's newest movies, The French Dispatch (2021) and Asteroid Metropolis (2023). Most not too long ago, he performed Commissioner Jim Gordon in The Batman (2022).

Who’s Isaac?

One other earlier function of Wright's? Isaac in The Last of Us Part II, which the actor will reprise for the upcoming season. His Isaac is, per HBO, "the quietly highly effective chief of a giant militia group who sought liberty however as a substitute has grow to be mired in an limitless battle in opposition to a surprisingly resourceful enemy."

Talking with TV Insider, Wright stated the season will supply extra of Isaac's backstory than we get within the video games. He largely remained tight-lipped, although. "Buckle up," he warned.

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Danny Ramirez as Manny, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Ariela Barer as Mel, and Spencer Lord as Owen

Abby isn't staring down the post-apocalypse alone. As within the video games, she's joined by 4 shut associates, right here performed by Spencer Lord (The Good Physician), Ariela Barer (The way to Blow Up a Pipeline), Danny Ramirez (Prime Gun: Maverick), and Tati Gabrielle (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina).

Who’re Manny, Nora, Mel, and Owen?

Lord's Owen, performed by Virtually Well-known actor Patrick Fugit within the recreation, is a detailed buddy of Abby's who's described as "a delicate soul trapped in a warrior's physique, condemned to struggle an enemy he refuses to hate." Mel, performed within the recreation by Ashley Burch, is Owen's girlfriend, in addition to "a younger physician whose dedication to saving lives is challenged by the realities of battle and tribalism."

Gabrielle performs Nora, "a navy medic struggling to come back to phrases with the sins of her previous." Nora's performed by Chelsea Tavares within the recreation.

Manny, performed by Ramirez, is characterised as a "a loyal soldier whose sunny outlook belies the ache of previous wounds and a concern that he’ll fail his buddies after they want him most." Alejandro Edda performs Manny within the recreation.

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Catherine O'Hara as Gail

SCTV alum Catherine O'Hara has appeared in among the greatest comedies of the final 40 years, together with After Hours (1985), Beetlejuice (1988), Home Alone (1990), and Finest in Present (2000). She not too long ago received a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her flip as Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek (2015–2020).

Who’s Gail?

O'Hara's Gail, a therapist to Joel, is a brand new addition to The Final of Us, having not appeared in both recreation.

"I’ve an odd relationship with Pedro's character," O'Hara beforehand informed EW. "You don't fairly know why she's bought… properly, she's bought this edge to her, nevertheless it makes for some bizarre, good darkish comedy, I believe. So it's there. I by no means wish to deny the present of humor."

What number of episodes are in The Final of Us season 2?

The Final of Us season 2 incorporates seven episodes.

"Every episode is sort of a meal. You’ll be able to have a lightweight dinner or you’ll be able to go to a 12-course French restaurant," Mazin beforehand informed EW. "We now have seven episodes. They’re high-calorie, dense episodes. For those who think about motion and drama and scope to be the issues that create an epic nature, every one in every of these episodes packs fairly a wallop. You’ll not be bored."

What's The Final of Us season 2's launch date?

The primary episode of The Final of Us season 2 premieres on April 13 on Max. New episodes will drop on a weekly foundation.

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