The Last of Us is finally back with its hotly-anticipated second season and, this time around, there are a whole host of new characters.
The second series picks up five years after the first, reintroducing us to Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they deal with the fallout of Joel’s decision at the end of season 1.
Speaking about her character this season, Ramsey previously told Deadline: “In season 2, I wanted to feel her heaviness a bit more.
“I think she’s a little harder, she’s a bit more like Joel … but also she’s still the same person, like she still has the same sense of humour.”
Pascal and Ramsey are joined by Booksmart star Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, who – in a major change from the video game source material – is introduced in the season 2 premiere as a huge antagonist to Joel.
Isabela Merced also joins the cast as Dina, who’s Ellie’s love interest in both the TV series and The Last of Us Part 2 game.
Other newcomers to the cast in season 2 include Young Mazino, Tati Gabrielle, Danny Ramirez, Catherine O’Hara and more.
But who do they all play? Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of The Last of Us season 2.
The Last of Us season 2 cast: Where you’ve seen them before
The confirmed cast list for The Last of Us season 2 is as follows, scroll on to find out more about the characters plus where you may have seen the actors before.
Pedro Pascal as Joel Bella Ramsey as Ellie Gabriel Luna as Tommy Rutina Wesley as Maria Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Isabela Merced as Dina Young Mazino as Jesse Ariela Barer as Mel Tati Gabrielle as Nora Spencer Lord as Owen Danny Ramirez as Manny Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Catherine O’Hara as TBC Joe Pantoliano as Eugene Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan Ben Ahlers as Burton Hettienne Park as Elise Robert John Burke as Seth Noah Lamanna as KatBella Ramsey plays Ellie
[image id="2188315" size="full" title="Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us season 2" alt="Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in The Last of Us season 2, wearing a thick coat and holding a shotgun." classes=""] Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Ellie? In season 1, we met Ellie as a 14-year old orphan who has an instinct for anger and defiance but was also looking for belonging. Her immunity to the cordyceps fungus was the reason why she embarked on a cross-country journey with Joel in season 1, but after he pulled her abruptly out of it (and lied to her), things are different for the pair in season 2.
Meanwhile, speaking about working on season 2, Ramsey said (via London Evening Standard): “[Filming] was pretty smooth sailing. It was hard work, as it always is, and especially this season, it’s amped up a level from season 1.
“So it was tough, long days, but the whole cast and crew just bonded together so well. It made it a really incredible experience.”
Where have I seen Bella Ramsey? Ramsey is best known for her role as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, while she has also appeared in the series His Dark Materials, Becoming Elizabeth, Hilda, The Worst Witch and Time. In addition, she’s featured in films such as Catherine Called Birdy and Judy.
Pedro Pascal plays Joel
[image id="2231669" size="full" title="last-of-us-season2-hbo-pedro-pascal" alt="Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us season 2, covered in snow and wearing a black scarf, looking down at the floor." classes=""] Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Joel? Joel is a hardened survivor in The Last of Us who is tormented by past trauma. Season 1 saw him having to trek across a post-apocalyptic American landscape and protect Ellie along the way, making the decision to stop Ellie’s medical procedure, which would have likely left her dead. He lied to Ellie about the outcome of everything, which will likely be the backbone of their tension in season 2.
Where have I seen Pedro Pascal? Pascal is best known for his roles as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, Javier Peña in Narcos and as the title character in Star Wars series The Mandalorian. He has also had major roles in films including Gladiator II, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Wonder Woman 1984 and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He is also set to star in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.
Kaitlyn Dever plays Abby
[image id="2246416" size="full" title="Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us season 2" alt="Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us season 2 in the snow" classes=""] Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Abby? Abby is a new character, who has been wronged by Joel – and she’s ready to face up to Ellie in a big way.
Co-creator Craig Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter that when thinking about the character of Abby, they needed “somebody who can stand on her own as the hero, as the villain, as somebody we love, as somebody we’re confused by, as somebody we root for and against”.
“They have to make us connect to them in this deep way, and Kaitlyn just has this profound nature — there’s a depth there,” he added. “I always say there are actors that you want to hang out with, but then there are actors you want to hug, and she’s both at the same time.”
Dever also said that fans will get a “lot more context” as to why the character of Abby is the way she is. “There’s a lot more lead-up to her character and her storyline… in the show, we go a lot deeper with her character, emotionally speaking,” she told TV Insider.
“And I think that that’s very exciting to get to sort of bring to life a video game character that has such an intense presence.”
Meanwhile, reempting backlash from fans over Dever’s casting, Neil Druckmann previously said: “We value performance over anything else. We need someone to really capture the essence of those characters…. We don’t value as much, ‘Do they look exactly like the character with their eyebrows or their nose or their body?’ Whatever it is.
“It’s not nowhere on the priority list, but it’s below a bunch of other things that we consider.”
Where have I seen Kaitlyn Dever before? Dever is best known for her role as Amy in Booksmart, as well as roles in Dopesick, Ticket to Paradise, and Dear Evan Hanson. More recently, Dever led the cast of Apple Cider Vinegar.
Young Mazino plays Jesse
[image id="2249656" size="full" title="last-of-us-hbo-young-mazino" alt="Young Mazino in The Last of Us season 2, wearing a hat and coat and looking worried." classes=""] Young Mazino in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Jesse? Jesse is one of the patrol group leaders, he’s a friend of Ellie’s and Dina’s ex-boyfriend.
Where have I seen Young Mazino before? Mazino is best known for his role as Paul Cho in Beef.
Isabela Merced plays Dina
[image id="2231670" size="full" title="last-of-us-s2-isabela-merced-bella-ramsey" alt="Isabela Merced as Dina and Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us season 2 sitting down and looking stressed." classes=""] Isabela Merced as Dina and Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Dina? Dina is “a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit”. She’s incredibly close to Ellie and is set to be a romantic interest for season 2.
“Dina is the fun, outgoing person that you might perceive her to be,” Merced told TV Insider.
“However, she has much darker stories to tell and a darker side to her that will probably make her more well-rounded and vulnerable as the series goes on,” she said.
Where have I seen Isabela Merced before? Merced has starred in Transformers: The Last Knight and the Lost City of Gold.
Gabriel Luna plays Tommy
[image id="2249649" size="full" title="last-of-us-hbo-gabriel-luna" alt="Gabriel Luna as Tommy in The Last of Us season 2 standing in front of a crowd of people, giving a speech." classes=""] Gabriel Luna as Tommy in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Tommy? Tommy is Joel’s younger brother. He is an idealistic former soldier hoping for a better world.
Where have I seen Gabriel Luna? Luna is perhaps best known for playing Ghost Rider in Agents of SHIELD, while he has also had major roles in Terminator: Dark Fate, True Detective and the film Eddie & Sunny.
Rutina Wesley plays Maria
[image id="2249652" size="full" title="last-of-us-hbo-rutina-wesley" alt="Rutina Wesley in The Last of Us season 2, looking out of a window while stood in an office." classes=""] Rutina Wesley in The Last of Us season 2.Who is Maria? Maria is Tommy’s wife and before the outbreak, worked as an Assistant District Attorney. Now, she’s an elected council member in their Wyoming commune.
Where have I seen Rutina Wesley? Wesley is perhaps best known for her role as Tara Thornton in True Blood. She’s also appeared in the series Queen Sugar and Arrow.
Catherine O’Hara plays TBC
[image id="2249708" size="full" title="last-of-us-hbo-catherine-o-hara" alt="Catherine O'Hara in The Last of Us season 2." classes=""] Catherine O’Hara in The Last of Us season 2.Who does Catherine O’Hara play in The Last of Us season 2? As of now, O’Hara’s role remains a mystery, but it is understood that she will portray a therapist-like figure that could be working with Joel.
“It’s such a powerful show and so beautifully done,” O’Hara told Vanity Fair. “She’s the only therapist in town—and what a clientele, can you imagine? So she’s not in the best mood when you see her.”
“The way Catherine O’Hara’s character integrates with some of the other people in the story, including a character that has been referenced in the games but never seen before, it’s really cool and it also gives us the chance to see what people tell their therapists,” co-creator Craig Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter.
“You think they always tell their therapists the truth, but what are the parts they don’t tell the therapist? That’s where it gets interesting.”
Where have I seen Catherine O’Hara? O’Hara is perhaps best known for her roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice and its subsequent 2024 sequel movie, Second City Television and Best in Show. She has also starred in Pain Hustlers, The Wild Robot and is currently appearing in Apple TV+’s The Studio.
Tati Gabrielle as Nora
[image id="2232691" size="full" title="The Last of Us" alt="Danny Ramirez as Manny, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Ariela Barer as Mel, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and Spencer Lord as Owen in The Last of Us, walking through the snow holding guns" classes=""] Danny Ramirez as Manny, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Ariela Barer as Mel, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and Spencer Lord as Owen in The Last of Us.Who is Nora? A military medic, Nora is one of the members of the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly that’s working under Abby’s guidance.
Where have I seen Tati Gabrielle? Gabrielle is known for her roles in You, The 100, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted.
Spencer Lord as Owen
[image id="2249728" size="full" title="HBO's "The Last of Us" Season Two Los Angeles Premiere" alt="Spencer Lord attends HBO's "The Last of Us" Season Two Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theater on March 24, 2025 in Hollywood, California." classes=""] Spencer Lord.Who is Owen? A former Firefly now working with Abby and co in the WLF, Owen is part of Abby’s mission to track down Joel.
Where have I seen Spencer Lord? Lord has starred in Heartland, Family Law, Riverdale and The Good Doctor.
Danny Ramirez as Manny
[image id="2249729" size="full" title="HBO's "The Last of Us" Season Two Los Angeles Premiere" alt="Danny Ramirez attends HBO's "The Last of Us" Season Two Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theater on March 24, 2025 in Hollywood, California." classes=""] Danny Ramirez.Who is Manny? Manny is a loyal soldier and according to the character’s official HBO description, is one “whose sunny outlook belies the pain of old wounds and a fear that he will fail his friends when they need him most”.
Where have I seen Danny Ramirez? Ramirez is known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick, The Gifted, On My Block and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Ariela Barer as Mel
[image id="2249731" size="full" title="Los Angeles Premiere Of HBO Original Series "The Last Of Us" Season 2 - Arrivals" alt="Ariela Barer attends the Los Angeles premiere of HBO Original Series "The Last Of Us" Season 2 at TCL Chinese Theater on March 24, 2025 in Hollywood, California." classes=""] Ariela Barer.Who is Mel? A young doctor working in the WLF, Mel’s commitment to saving lives is tested by the realities of her surroundings.
Where have I seen Ariela Barer? Barer has starred in Runaways, Rebel, How to Blow Up a Pipeline and the 2020 reboot of Saved by the Bell.
The Last of Us season 1 cast
Nico Parker plays Sarah
[image id="1767077" size="full" title="the-last-of-us-character-sarah-1920x1080" alt="Nico Parker as Sarah in The Last of Us." classes=""] Nico Parker as Sarah in The Last of Us.Who is Sarah? Sarah is Joel’s 14-year-old daughter.
Where have I seen Nico Parker? The daughter of Thandiwe Newton and Ol Parker, Nico Parker has previously starred in the films Dumbo and Reminiscence, as well as HBO series The Third Day.
Following backlash from a small minority of The Last of Us fans who questioned the casting of Pascal, who is of Chilean descent, and biracial star Parker, in roles that are white in the original game, Parker told Yahoo! Entertainment: “There are people for whom the game is incredibly important to them.”
Newsletter: RequiredTitle: Get sci-fi news direct to your inboxDescription: For details on how we use your data, please see our privacy policy.Layout: horizontalEnvironment: live-likeLogged In Body Copy: The best sci-fi news and features this side of the Outer Rim.Logged In Success Message: Thanks, you are now signed up to our sci-fi and fantasy newsletter! We look forward to sending you our email updates.Logged In Preferences Hyperlink Text: To manage your email preferences, click here.Logged Out Body Copy: The best sci-fi news and features this side of the Outer Rim.Logged Out Success Message: Thanks, you are now signed up to our sci-fi and fantasy newsletter! We look forward to sending you our email updates.Logged Out Sign In Message: Sign in to/ register for a RadioTimes.com account to manage your email preferencesShe added: “But when it comes from a place where it’s just a disdain toward any kind of inclusivity, that’s where I don’t care. I don’t value that opinion and I don’t agree.”
[image id="1767075" size="full" title="the-last-of-us-character-riley-1920x1080" alt="Storm Reid as Riley in The Last of Us." classes=""] Storm Reid as Riley in The Last of Us.Who is Riley? Riley is an orphaned girl living in Boston.
Where have I seen Storm Reid? Reid is best known for her roles in series including Euphoria, When They See Us and The Bravest Knight, as well as films such as The Suicide Squad, The Invisible Man, 12 Years a Slave and A Wrinkle in Time.
Keivonn Woodard plays Sam
[image id="1767076" size="landscape_thumbnail" title="the-last-of-us-character-sam-1920x1080_0" alt="Keivonn Woodard as Sam in The Last of Us." classes=""] Keivonn Woodard as Sam in The Last of Us.Who is Sam? Sam is Henry’s brother. The pair are hiding out from a revolutionary movement in Kansas City.
Where have I seen Keivonn Woodard? Woodard’s only previous on-screen credit is for Seeds of Hope: The Andrew Jackson Foster Story.
Lamar Johnson plays Henry
[image id="1767072" size="landscape_thumbnail" title="the-last-of-us-character-henry-1920x1080_0" alt="Lamar Johnson as Henry in The Last of Us." classes=""] Lamar Johnson as Henry in The Last of Us.Who is Henry? Henry is Sam’s brother. The pair are hiding out from a revolutionary movement in Kansas City.
Where have I seen Lamar Johnson? Johnson is best known for appearing series such as The Next Level and Your Honour, as well as the film X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Anna Torv plays Tess
[image id="1767078" size="landscape_thumbnail" title="the-last-of-us-character-tess-1920x1080" alt="Anna Torv as Tess in The Last of Us." classes=""] Anna Torv as Tess in The Last of Us.Who is Tess? Tess is a smuggler and hardened survivor.
Where have I seen Anna Torv? Torv is best known for starring in the shows Fringe and Mindhunter, as well as her roles in Secret City, The Newsreader and The Secret Life of Us.
Merle Dandridge plays Marlene
[image id="1767074" size="landscape_thumbnail" title="the-last-of-us-character-marlene-1920x1080" alt="Merle Dandridge as Marlene in The Last of Us." classes=""] Merle Dandridge as Marlene in The Last of Us.Who is Marlene? Marlene is the leader of a resistance group called the Fireflies, which is fighting for freedom against an oppressive regime.
Where have I seen Merle Dandridge? Dandridge is the only member of the central cast to carry over her role from the games, having previously played Marlene in both games, The Last of Us and The Last of Us 2. She is also known for her TV roles in Station 19, Truth Be Told, The Flight Attendant and Greenleaf.
The Last of Us season 1 is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership. Season 2 will be released in April.
Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on this week. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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