The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us is slated to premiere on April 13, 2025, and fans are buzzing with excitement over the new and returning faces set to grace the screen. Much like its predecessor, Season 2 will introduce major characters from the video games, such as Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, and also unveil intriguing new additions like Catherine O'Hara's mysterious Gail. As we gear up for Joel and Ellie's continued journey through a haunting post-apocalyptic world, let's dive into the cast members you should know.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?
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New Cast Members in The Last of Us Season 2
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
One of the most eagerly awaited announcements was who would portray Abby in Season 2. HBO has answered that question by casting Kaitlyn Dever, known from Booksmart and Justified, to take on this pivotal role.
Abby, a central character from The Last of Us Part 2, is set to play a significant part in the unfolding narrative. As a member of the Fireflies, her path intersects with Joel and Ellie early in the game. HBO describes her as a "skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved."
"Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material," said series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. "Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella, and the rest of our family."
Who Voiced Abby in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Laura Bailey
Young Mazino as Jesse
Young Mazino, star of Beef, will join the series as Jesse, described as a "pillar of the community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost."
Introduced in The Last of Us Part 2, Jesse is a leader of the patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, and a friend and former boyfriend of Ellie.
"Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him," Mazin and Druckmann praised. "We’re so lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for the audience to see Young shine in our show."
Who Voiced Jesse in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Stephen Chang
Isabella Merced as Dina
Isabella Merced, recognized from Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, will portray Dina, a vital character in the Jackson community and Ellie’s partner.
Dina's relationship with Ellie is central to the story, evolving and deepening throughout the game. She is described as "warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable" by Mazin and Druckmann.
Who Voiced Dina in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Shannon Woodward
Catherine O'Hara as Gail
Little is known about Catherine O'Hara's character, Gail, as she is a new addition created for the series. However, it appears she will serve as Joel's therapist, helping him navigate the emotional aftermath of his decision in Season 1.
Jeffrey Wright as Isaac
Fans of the game will be thrilled to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Isaac, the ruthless leader of the Washington Liberation Front, whose actions significantly influence the storyline in The Last of Us Part 2.
Who Voiced Isaac in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Wright
Danny Ramirez as Manny
Danny Ramirez, known from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Top Gun: Maverick, will play Manny Alverez, a member of the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly, who is a close friend of Abby and considered one of the best soldiers by Isaac Dixon.
"A loyal soldier whose sunny outlook belies the pain of old wounds and a fear that he will fail his friends when they need him most," reads the official HBO description of Manny.
Who Voiced Manny in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Alejandro Edda
Ariela Barer as Mel
Ariela Barer, from Runaways, will portray Mel, a medic in the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly. She is a friend of Abby and romantically involved with Owen.
"A young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism," the official HBO description of Mel states.
Who Voiced Mel in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Ashly Burch
Tati Gabrielle as Nora
Tati Gabrielle, known from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, will play Nora, a member of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former medic who worked with Dr. Jerry Anderson.
"A military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past," is how HBO describes Nora.
Who Voiced Nora in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Chelsea Tavares
Spencer Lord as Owen
Spencer Lord, seen in Family Law, Heartland, and The Good Doctor, will take on the role of Owen, another member of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former Firefly turned WLF soldier. He is currently dating Mel but was once in a relationship with Abby.
"A gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate," is the official HBO description of Owen.
Who Voiced Owen in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Patrick Fugit
Joe Pantoliano as Eugene, Robert John Burke as Seth, and Noah Lamanna as Kat
HBO has revealed six more actors joining the cast of The Last of Us Season 2, with three portraying characters from the games with expanded roles and three playing entirely new characters.
Joe Pantoliano (Memento, The Matrix) will play Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend, who had a minor role in The Last of Us Part 2 but will have a more significant presence in the series.
“I get excited when I see these opportunities,” said showrunner Neil Druckmann. “I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t know Eugene that well!’ The story we told [in the game] was somewhat superficial. The way this character comes in really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie and their relationship.”
Robert John Burke (RoboCop 3) will portray Seth, the bar owner and bigot sandwich-giver from The Last of Us Part 2, and Noah Lamanna (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) will play Kat, who dated Ellie before the events of the second game.
Image Credits: John Pantoliano (Theo Wargo/Getty Images), Robert John Burke (Jim Spellman/FilmMagic), and Noah Lemanna (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO)
Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan, Ben Ahlers as Burton, and Hettienne Park as Elise Park
Alanna Ubach (Euphoria, Bombshell), Ben Ahlers (The Gilded Age, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and Hettienne Park (Don't Look Up) have joined the cast as new characters Hanrahan, Burton, and Elise Park, respectively.
Image Credits: Alanna Ubach (Monica Schipper/Getty Images), Ben Ahlers (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO), Hettienne Park (Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images)
Returning Cast in The Last of Us Season 2
Pedro Pascal as Joel
Pedro Pascal will return as Joel, whose actions at the end of Season 1 saw him go on a rampage against the Fireflies to save Ellie. Despite Marlene's explanation that Ellie's death might lead to a cure, Joel chose to rescue her, lying to Ellie about the Fireflies' failure to develop a cure and the violence he left behind.
Who Voiced Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Troy Baker
Bella Ramsey as Ellie
Bella Ramsey returns as Ellie, who was lied to by Joel about the events at the hospital. Unaware of the procedure that would have killed her, Ellie's relationship with Joel will be a focal point of Season 2 as they navigate the aftermath of his deception.
Who Voiced Bella in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Ashley Johnson
Gabriel Luna as Tommy
Gabriel Luna will reprise his role as Tommy, Joel's brother, who played a crucial part in The Last of Us Part 2. Last seen in Jackson with his wife, Maria, Tommy's story will continue to unfold in Season 2.
Who Voiced Tommy in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Pierce
Rutina Wesley as Maria
Rutina Wesley returns as Maria, the leader of the Jackson community and Tommy's wife. Her interactions with Ellie and her role in the community will be further explored in Season 2.
Will Marlene or Tess Appear in Season 2 of The Last of Us?
Merle Dandridge as Marlene
Merle Dandridge's Marlene was killed by Joel in the first season's finale, ruling out her appearance in Season 2's present timeline. However, her presence in flashbacks from The Last of Us Part 2 could see her return in that form.
Anna Torv as Tess
Anna Torv's Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel, sacrificed herself in Season 1 after being bitten. While she did not appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks could potentially revisit her story and her relationship with Joel.
Will Nick Offerman’s Bill and Murray Bartlett’s Frank Return in The Last of Us?
It seems unlikely that we'll see Nick Offerman's Bill and Murray Bartlett's Frank again. Their poignant episode in Season 1 was a standout, earning a rare 10/10 from us.
“Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett take on leading role duties with elegance, leaving an unmistakably beautiful mark on the show as we’re shown a side of humanity that makes what Joel and Ellie are fighting for worth saving,” wrote IGN’s Simon Cardy. “It’s an episode, just like love, that lives long in the memory after experiencing it.”
While their story concluded, there was speculation about a potential prequel spin-off. However, Mazin has clarified that Offerman's mention of a prequel was in jest. "I’m very proud of the episode we did with Bill and Frank," Mazin stated. "There won’t be more Bill and Frank. Nick was joking about a prequel, that was kind of a joke. We are very happy with what we achieved."
For more insights, explore our analysis of the Season 1 finale, our predictions for Season 2, and the creators' thoughts on Joel's decision to save Ellie.
Note: This story was updated on April 8, 2025, to include Catherine O'Hara (Gail) and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac).
