The Last Of Us Cast: Who Plays Each Character In The HBO Series
Back in March 2020, I was stunned at seeing the news that HBO was developing a series based on The Last of Us, one of my all-time favorite video games. At first, I was happy but couldn't believe it. Now here we are, and Season 1 has come to an end and received amazing reviews and is already on track for The Last of Us Season 2.
With Season 1 all done, the cast has truly impressed and shown off in more ways than one. After the legendary first season, and in anticipation of Season 2, let’s break down the cast of The Last of Us, including those who appeared in Season 1, and whether or not we expect to see them in Season 2, as well as the new cast additions to the series.
Also – minor spoiler warning for those who aren’t caught up with The Last of Us Season 1!
Pedro Pascal (Joel, Season 1-)
First up is Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel in The Last of Us, the rough and tough survivor of the apocalypse who is assigned to get Ellie across the country to a facility because of her immunity to the virus that's decimated the population. Since Pedro Pascal is the star of the show, he is very much going to be in Season 2.
Pascal is known for plenty of big shows and movies, but some of his biggest have been the Disney+ original show, The Mandalorian, and in 2022 , co-starring in the hilarious comedy, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, alongside Nicolas Cage. He was also a part of the Game of Thrones cast for a bit during Season 4, where he played Prince Oberyn Martell.
Bella Ramsey (Ellie, Season 1-)
You can’t have Joel without Ellie in The Last of Us, and playing the spunky fourteen-year-old is Bella Ramsey, who really made the role her own in Season 1 of the series. Ramsey will be back for Season 2 of the series, as even the creators of the series have put to rest the idea of her getting re-casted since Season 2 is most likely going to feature a time-jump that was used in the games.
The young actress has already appeared on HBO before as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, as well as in His Dark Materials, and is continuing to show just how brilliant she is as an actress going forward in her young life.
Gabriel Luna (Tommy, Season 1-)
Playing Joel’s brother and a former soldier, Tommy, in The Last of Us is Gabriel Luna. Tommy wasn’t featured that much in the first season of the show, but he most certainly played a major part in Joel’s story. And since Joel and Ellie were heading back to Tommy’s base in Jackson at the end of Season 1, it would make sense to expect Luna to return for Season 2.
The actor has been in many TV shows before, with one of his biggest roles being in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where he played Ghost Rider/Robbie Reyes. Luna was also in the films Matador, and Terminator: Dark Fate.
Rutina Wesley (Maria, Season 1-)
Playing Maria in The Last of Us Season 1 is Rutina Wesley, the wife of Tommy and one of the leaders of the Jackson Safe Zone, where Ellie and Joel are heading to in the finale of Season 1. Since Maria was pregnant when Joel and Ellie left Jackson the first time, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see her there with a child alongside Tommy when Joel and Ellie return. So I’d say it’s a safe bet to expect her to return in Season 2.
Wesley has been in a variety of television shows before, including the main cast of True Blood, The Cleveland Show, Arrow, Queen Sugar and Hannibal. Wesley also appeared in movies such as How She Move, 13 Sings, Last Weekend, The Perfect Guy and Outsiders.
Kaitlyn Dever (Abby, Season 2-)
Variety confirmed in January 2024 that Kaitlyn Dever was cast as Abby, another playable character in The Last of Us: Part 2. Many fans have wondered for years about who would play the iconic character. Dever has a lot of people watching her when it comes to the role of Abby, but I have hope she’ll rock it.
The actress has appeared in shows such as Last Man, Dopesick, Unbelievable and more, as well as appeared in films like Detroit, Dear Evan Hansen, Booksmart and many more.
Isabela Merced (Dina, Season 2-)
According to Variety, in early January 2024, it was announced that Isabela Merced was cast as Dina, the love interest of Ellie’s in The Last of Us: Part 2. This is another great LGBTQ+ relationship that the show will get into as Season 2 goes on.
Merced in 2024 was a part of the Madame Web cast, but she's also appeared in films such as Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Sweet Girl, Instant Family and more. She’s also set to star in the upcoming John Greene adaptation, Turtles All The Way Down.
Young Mazino (Jesse, Season 2-)
It was also announced in early January, according to Variety, that Young Mazino was cast as Jesse, another main character of The Last of Us: Part 2. Jesse is a friend of Ellie’s and ex-boyfriend of Dina’s in the game.
Mazino gained fame in 2023 for his role in the Netflix series, Beef, but he has also appeared in shows such as Blue Bloods, New Amsterdam and more.
Catherine O’Hara (Season 2-)
In February 2024, it was confirmed by Variety that Cathrine O’Hara was cast in The Last of Us Season 2 by Variety. We still don’t know what her role will be, but we can theorize on who until it's officially announced.
O’Hara has been in the industry for years, appearing in the original Home Alone films, Beetlejuice, For Your Consideration, After Hours and many more. Most modern-day lovers of the actress probably recognize her from her time as one of the stars of the Schitt’s Creek cast. Truly an icon – and a great addition to this list.
Danny Ramirez (Manny, Season 2-)
In March 2024, Variety reported several other stars that had joined The Last of Us Season 2. The first was Danny Ramirez, who will play Manny, a friend of Abby’s, in the second season.
Ramirez has appeared in shows like On My Block and The Gifted, and even held a main role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier cast. He also appeared in the Top Gun: Maverick cast in 2022.
Ariela Barer (Mel, Season 2-)
Ariela Barer was also reported by Variety, and she’ll play Mel in Season 2 of The Last of Us. Mel is another friend of Abby’s in the game, and is said to be a doctor in the upcoming installment.
Barer is primarily known for her role as Gert on Runaways, but she has appeared in various other television shows including Rebel, One Day at a Time, Atypical, Saved by the Bell and many more.
Tati Gabrielle (Nora, Season 2-)
Tati Gabrielle was the third actress Variety reported on, and she will play Nora in Season 2 of The Last of Us. Nora is a military medic in the show, and has her own issues from her past that she is dealing with.
Gabrielle has appeared in various TV shows, most notably You Season 4, where she played Marienne, and in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina cast. She also held a role in the great CW show, The 100, and appeared in Kaleidoscope.
Spencer Lord (Owen, Season 2-)
Last but not least from that Variety article, we know that Spencer Lord will play Owen, a warrior who has a “gentle soul.” Lord has appeared in shows such as Family Law, The Good Doctor, Heartland and more.
Nico Parker (Sarah, Season 1)
Sarah is Joel’s young daughter in The Last of Us, and she was played by Nico Parker, however, Sarah is not expected in Season 2. The young actress has appeared in movies like Dumbo and Reminiscence, and also had the part of Ellie in the TV series, The Third Day.
Nick Offerman (Bill, Season 1)
One half of a survival duo living in a small, isolated town is Bill, a hardened survivor who really knows how to stay alive in this world by setting traps. Nick Offerman plays Bill in The Last of Us, and really made Bill’s story that much better alongside his partner, Frank. Bill is not expected to be in Season 2.
Offerman is primarily known for his role as Ron Swanson in the Parks and Recreation cast, but he’s done plenty of other great work, including having a major role in the Pam & Tommy cast, working on the sci-fi series, Devs, and more.
Merle Dandridge (Marlene, Season 1)
Next up, we have Merle Dandridge, who plays Marlene, the Firefly resistance leader in The Last of Us. Merle Dandridge actually did the voice and motion-capture work for Marlene in the original The Last of Us video game, so it’s sick to see her return to the role in the TV adaptation. However, Dandridge is not expected to be in Season 2.
But, besides her video game work, Dandridge has appeared in many TV shows like Station 19, the fantastic HBO Max original, The Flight Attendant, Sons of Anarchy, and more.
Anna Torv (Tess, Season 1)
Tess is another survivor and a smuggler alongside Joel in The Last of Us, and she's played by Anna Torv in the TV series. Tess is not expected to be in Season 2.
Torv is primarily known for her role as Olivia Dunham on the popular sci-fi series, Fringe, and also had a main role as Wendy Carr on the amazing Netflix series you should definitely binge, Mindhunter. She also had a main role as Harriet Dunkley in Secret City.
Murray Bartlett (Frank, Season 1)
Frank is the other half of the survival duo in The Last of Us with Bill who lives in that isolated town, and he is played by Murray Bartlett. Frank is not expected to be in Season 2.
Bartlett is among the cast of The White Lotus Season 1, and in the revival on Netflix of Tales of the City. Bartlett also played Vinnie Green in the Apple TV+ series, Physical.
Storm Reid (Riley, Season 1)
Next up on the list for The Last of Us cast is Storm Reid, a young actress who is really making her name in Hollywood recently. In Season 1, Reid played Riley, Ellie’s best friend from before she was bit. Riley is not expected to be in Season 2. We could see her in another possible flashback but I doubt that will happen.
Reid is mainly known for her part in the Euphoria cast as Rue’s younger sister, Gia, but she’s done plenty of other work, too. Some of her biggest roles so far have been in Don’t Let Go, The Invisible Man, and she had a major part in When They See Us on Netflix, as well as a smaller role in The Suicide Squad. She was also the star of the movie, A Wrinkle in Time.
Melanie Lynskey (Kathleen, Season 1)
Melanie Lynskey plays Kathleen in Season 1 of The Last of Us, the brutal leader of a revolutionary movement in Kansas City and someone who was on the hunt for Henry and Sam. Her character, Kathleen, is not expected to be in Season 2.
Lynskey is known for many roles prior to this show, including her big part in the hit sitcom, Two and a Half Men, as Rose, as well as her starring role in the Showtime series, Yellowjackets, but it was even cooler to see her in this show as well. Lynksey also had roles in movies such as Sweet Home Alabama, But I’m A Cheerleader, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Don’t Look Up, The Intervention and more.
Jeffrey Pierce (Perry, Season 1)
Next up, we have Perry, Kathleen’s right-hand man, in The Last of Us, who is played by Jeffrey Pierce. Originally, Pierce actually portrayed Tommy in the original game, but in Season 1 of The Last of Us, he had the recurring role of Perry for a couple of episodes. Perry is not expected to be in Season 2 of The Last of Us.
Pierce has done plenty in Hollywood besides his voice-acting skills, appearing in many shows such as Drop Dead Diva, Castle, Castle Rock, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and more.
Lamar Johnson (Henry, Season 1)
Moving on, we have Lamar Johnson, who plays Henry in Season 1 of The Last of Us, a survivor that Joel and Ellie meet out on the road when he and his brother, Sam, are hiding from a revolutionary movement in Kansas City. Henry is not expected to be in Season 2.
Johnson has appeared in a few films that you might recognize him from, such as Dark Phoenix, All the Bright Places, and Brother. He also had a main role in The Next Step as West, and appeared in the great Showtime series, Your Honor. Henry is not expected to be in Season 2.
Keivonn Woodard (Sam, Season 1)
Next up, we have the little brother of Henry, named Sam, in The Last Of Us. The character is not expected to appear in Season 2.
Keivonn Woodard is relatively new to Hollywood, and has only had one appearance prior to his role in The Last of Us, in the film Seeds of Hope: The Andrew Foster Story. But, hopefully, after The Last Of Us, we’ll get to see even more of him.
Ashley Johnson (Anna)
For those who have never played the original game, Ashley Johnson is actually the voice and motion-capture of Ellie in both games, and has become a huge fan-favorite – so I was quite happy she appeared in The Last of Us TV show as Anna, otherwise known as Ellie’s mother in the games.However, the character is not expect to appear in Season 2.
Johnson has appeared in several movies as well, including The Help, What Women Want and Much Ado About Nothing, but has also appeared in many television shows such as Growing Pains, Critical Role, Blindspot and more. She’s also a voice actress and has done work for shows like Teen Titans and Recess.
Scott Shepherd (David, Season 1)
Next up, we have Scott Shepherd, who played David in The Last of Us. David was quite a memorable face in both the movies and television show, and Scott Shepherd killed it in the role. David is not expected to be in Season 2.
Scott Shepherd has appeared in movies such as And So It Goes, the X-Men film, Dark Phoenix, First Cow, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, Radium Girls, and more. He’s also had roles in television shows such as The Young Pope, True Detective, Wormwood and Bluff City Law, among others.
Troy Baker (James, Season 1)
Troy Baker is another familiar face for fans of the franchise. He was the voice and motion-capture behind Joel in the video game. While Pedro Pascal plays Joel in the series, Baker appears in The Last of Us TV show in the role of James, one of David’s men out in the woods. He is not expected to appear in Season 2.
Baker is known a lot for his voice roles and being able to portray so many different characters, from Samuel Drake in the Uncharted franchise, to Delsin Rowe in Infamous Sons, all the way to Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding and voicing even superheroes like Batman and Hawkeye. He’s even done voice-dubs for popular anime like Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist. You’ll most likely recognize his brilliant voice-acting before anything else since that’s what he’s predominantly known for.
Season 2 is on the way, and with these new cast members, I’m even more excited. I don’t want to have to wait for too long or I just might lose my mind and become a clicker.
