A Tough Return for the Cast
HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Last of Us is back for its second season, but returning to the post-apocalyptic world wasn’t easy for the cast. With the story picking up five years after Season 1, the emotional rift between Pedro Pascal’s Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie made for some difficult scenes.
During a press conference at the London West Hollywood, Pascal reflected on his experience:
“My mindset was grateful for being back, yet, at the same time, this experience, more than any other I’ve had, is hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel in a way that isn’t very healthy.”
Ramsey added that playing a 19-year-old Ellie—a shift from her 14-year-old character in the first season—brought additional depth to their performance:
“There are obviously deeper reasons for their little rift. I didn’t enjoy the feeling of being estranged from Pedro within a scene. It wasn’t a nice feeling when the cameras were rolling. In real life, we still kind of like each other, just about,” she joked.
New Faces in Season 2
While Pascal, Ramsey, and Gabriel Luna return, Season 2 introduces Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, a character long speculated to appear in the series. Interestingly, Dever was previously linked to a Last of Us adaptation when it was originally planned as a film.
“I admired this story so much, and when it came back around, it felt like, ‘Oh, things that are meant to be in your life will happen if they’re supposed to.’ Abby felt right. It was very cool,” Dever shared.
Joining her in Season 2 are:
• Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus)
• Young Mazino (Beef)
The Challenges of Joining an Established Cast
Stepping into a massively successful series can be intimidating, but the newcomers embraced the experience. Merced admitted feeling like “the new kid at school” but appreciated how warmly she was welcomed.
Mazino echoed her sentiments, stating:
“Joining a second season for something that was so well established the first time was nerve-wracking. Seeing the huge gate they built for the town was when I started to feel tripped out, but the energy on set was so warm and inviting.”
The Real-World Parallels of The Last of Us
Beyond its post-apocalyptic setting, the show’s themes resonate deeply with real-world events. Pascal believes storytelling has always been a mirror to reality:
“Storytelling is cathartic in so many ways. It’s the way human beings have given testimony to life, whether it was handprints on a cave wall or a television show. Under extreme circumstances, we see human relationships under crisis, in pain, and draw a political and societal allegory based on our world.”
Luna added that Season 2 explores conflicts and cycles of violence, themes that feel eerily relevant in today’s world.
When and Where to Watch
Season 2 of The Last of Us premieres on April 13, 2025, on HBO and will be available for streaming on Max.
With deeper emotional stakes, new characters, and a compelling continuation of the story, this season promises to be just as gripping—if not more—than the first.
