Cast of The Last of Us: Season 1 & 2 Actors and Characters

Few TV adaptations have sparked as much conversation as HBO’s The Last of Us. From the moment the series was announced, fans wondered how the beloved video game characters would translate to live-action. The answer, delivered across nine gripping episodes in season 1, hinged on one crucial element: the cast. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey brought Joel and Ellie to life with such authenticity that the show earned 24 Emmy nominations, and now season 2 is expanding the ensemble with major new additions.

Season 1 premiere date: January 15, 2023 ·
Season 1 episodes: 9 ·
Season 2 episodes: 7 ·
Main cast (Season 1): 3 actors ·
Main cast (Season 2): 6 actors ·
Emmy nominations (Season 1): 24

The table above shows the series’ core production details. The implication: HBO committed to a faithful adaptation with the original game’s co-creator directly involved.

Who is the cast of The Last of Us season 2?

Season 2 brings back the core trio and introduces three major new characters. The returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller, Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams, and Gabriel Luna as Tommy Miller. New additions are Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson, Isabela Merced as Dina, and Young Mazino as Jesse.

Main cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna

Pedro Pascal returns as Joel Miller, the hardened smuggler who becomes Ellie’s protector. Bella Ramsey reprises her role as Ellie Williams, the immune teenager at the center of the story. Gabriel Luna continues as Tommy Miller, Joel’s younger brother who plays a key role in both seasons. All three are confirmed through official sources (Rotten Tomatoes cast list).

New additions: Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Kaitlyn Dever

Kaitlyn Dever joins as Abby Anderson, a character central to the game’s sequel. Isabela Merced plays Dina, Ellie’s love interest and companion. Young Mazino portrays Jesse, a member of the Jackson community. These additions expand the ensemble from three main actors in season 1 to six in season 2 (IMDb).

Character roles and game origins

Abby Anderson originates from The Last of Us Part II, where she serves as a secondary protagonist. Dina is Ellie’s romantic partner in the game, while Jesse is a friend and fellow patrol member. The show adapts these roles with some expansions to their backstories.

Why did Pedro Pascal leave The Last of Us?

Pedro Pascal has not left The Last of Us. This rumor stems from his busy schedule and public comments about anxiety, but no official announcement of departure exists.

Fact check: Pedro Pascal has not left the show

Pascal is confirmed to return as Joel Miller in season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes cast list). The actor has spoken about managing anxiety but has not indicated any plan to leave the role. The rumor appears to have originated from fan speculation about his workload across multiple projects.

Health concerns and schedule rumors

Pascal has been open about experiencing anxiety, but this has not affected his commitment to The Last of Us. His schedule includes The Mandalorian and other projects, yet he remains contracted for the HBO series. The pattern: unfounded rumors spread quickly online, but verified sources confirm his continued involvement.

What gender is Ellie from The Last of Us?

Ellie is a female character in both the video game and the HBO series. The actor who plays her, Bella Ramsey, identifies as non-binary.

Ellie’s gender in the game and show

In the game, Ellie is a teenage girl. The show maintains this characterization. Ramsey’s gender identity does not change the character’s gender. The showrunners have stated that Ramsey’s performance, not their identity, drove the casting decision.

Bella Ramsey’s gender identity

Bella Ramsey identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. This has no bearing on their portrayal of Ellie, a female character. The distinction between actor and character is standard in casting. What this means: the character remains female, and the actor’s identity is separate.

Why was Ellie’s face changed?

Ellie’s appearance differs between the game and the show because the showrunners prioritized acting ability over physical resemblance.

Game vs show: visual differences

In the game, Ellie has a specific facial structure and hair color. Bella Ramsey has a different look. The show does not attempt to replicate the game’s exact visual design. Instead, it focuses on capturing the character’s essence through performance.

Casting choice for Bella Ramsey

Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the game and show, said Ramsey “embodies Ellie in a way we never imagined” (The Guardian interview). The casting decision reflects a broader trend in adaptations: fidelity to character spirit over visual replication. The catch: some fans expected a closer visual match, but the performance has been widely praised.

Where did Dina go after Ellie left?

In The Last of Us Part II game, Dina leaves Ellie after Ellie’s quest for revenge leads to devastating consequences. The show adapts this storyline with Isabela Merced as Dina.

Dina’s role in the story

Dina is Ellie’s romantic partner and a key emotional anchor. In the game, she supports Ellie through trauma but eventually leaves when Ellie prioritizes vengeance over their relationship. The show expands their love story with additional scenes.

Relationship with Ellie in the show vs game

The show provides more context for Dina and Ellie’s relationship before the events of Part II. This includes flashbacks and conversations not present in the game. The implication: the show deepens the emotional stakes of Dina’s eventual departure.

Why is Ellie immune?

Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps fungus infection that has devastated humanity. Her immunity is central to the plot of both the game and the show.

The Cordyceps infection immunity

Ellie’s immunity stems from a unique mutation. The game suggests she was exposed to the fungus prenatally, which caused the infection to develop differently in her body. The show maintains this explanation.

Story implications

Her immunity makes her the key to finding a cure. The Fireflies, a rebel group, seek to study her brain to develop a vaccine. This creates the central moral dilemma of the story: whether to sacrifice Ellie for the greater good. The pattern: immunity drives the entire narrative engine of the series.

Season 1 guest stars and supporting cast

Season 1 featured a strong supporting cast. Anna Torv played Tess Servopoulos, Joel’s partner. Merle Dandridge reprised her game role as Marlene. Melanie Lynskey played Kathleen, a new character created for the show. Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett portrayed Bill and Frank, expanding their game backstory. Rutina Wesley played Maria, Tommy’s wife. Storm Reid appeared as Riley, Ellie’s friend from the game’s DLC. Lamar Johnson and Keivonn Woodard played brothers Henry and Sam. Other guest stars included Christine Hakim as Ratna Pertiwi, John Hannah as Dr. Neuman, Christopher Heyerdahl as Dr. Schoenheiss, Brendan Fletcher as Robert, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, and Troy Baker as James (Rotten Tomatoes cast list).

Timeline of The Last of Us series development

• March 2020: HBO announces series development (Wikipedia)
• February 2021: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey cast as Joel and Ellie
• July 2022: Filming wraps for season 1
• January 15, 2023: Season 1 premieres (Rotten Tomatoes)
• January 27, 2023: HBO renews for season 2
• March 2024: Kaitlyn Dever cast as Abby for season 2
• April 2025: Season 2 premieres

The timeline shows a steady production pace. The catch: the gap between seasons reflects the complexity of adapting the game’s sequel.

Related reading: Cast of Boy Swallows Universe – Season 1 Full Cast Guide · Slow Horses Season 6: Cast, Release Date, Episodes & News

For a detailed breakdown of every actor and their role, check out this complete guide to the cast of the HBO series.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Kaitlyn is fearless” — Craig Mazin, showrunner, on casting Kaitlyn Dever as Abby (Variety)

“She embodies Ellie in a way we never imagined” — Neil Druckmann, co-creator, on Bella Ramsey’s casting (The Guardian)

The cast of The Last of Us balances faithful adaptation with necessary reinterpretation. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey anchor the series with performances that honor the source material while making the characters their own. The season 2 additions of Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino signal the show’s commitment to expanding the world. The implication: the series continues to evolve, and the cast remains its strongest asset.