The highly anticipated second season of *The Last of Us* is slated to premiere on April 13, 2025, bringing with it a mix of familiar faces and intriguing new characters. As with the first season, key figures from the acclaimed video game series will make their way to the screen, including Kaitlyn Dever's portrayal of Abby, while fresh additions like Catherine O'Hara's mysterious Gail add new layers to the narrative.
To prepare you for the continuation of Joel and Ellie's journey through the post-apocalyptic world, we've put together this comprehensive guide to the cast of Season 2 of The Last of Us.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?
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New Cast for The Last of Us TV Show Season 2
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
One of the most eagerly awaited casting announcements for Season 2 was who would play Abby. HBO confirmed that Booksmart and Justified star Kaitlyn Dever will take on the role.
Abby is a central character in The Last of Us Part 2, with a significant impact on the unfolding story. A member of the Fireflies, her path crosses with Joel and Ellie early in the second 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
Beef star Young Mazino will join Season 2 as Jesse, described as "a pillar of the community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost."
Jesse, introduced in The Last of Us Part 2, is a leader of the patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, the home of Joel, Ellie, and Tommy at the start of the second game. He is a friend of Ellie and an ex-boyfriend of Dina.
"Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him," Mazin and Druckmann said. "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, known from Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, will portray Dina in Season 2. Dina, another resident of Jackson, is Ellie's partner and plays a pivotal role in the narrative. Her relationship with Ellie evolves significantly throughout the game, making her one of the most influential figures in Ellie's life.
"Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable," said Mazin and Druckmann. "You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away."
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 choices from Season 1.
Jeffrey Wright as Isaac
Fans of The Last of Us Part 2 will be thrilled to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Isaac, the leader of the Washington Liberation Front. His actions in the game set off a chain of events, and his presence is expected to be equally impactful in Season 2 of the series.
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 Alvarez, a member of the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly. A friend of Abby, he is considered one of the best soldiers by WLF leader 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 former Firefly. She is a friend of Abby and in a romantic relationship with Owen.
"A young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism," reads the official HBO description of Mel.
Who Voiced Mel in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Ashly Burch
Tati Gabrielle as Nora
Tati Gabrielle, seen in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, will play Nora in Season 2. Nora is part of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' along with Owen, Manny, and Mel, and was a medic working with Dr. Jerry Anderson.
"A military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past," reads the official HBO description of Nora.
Who Voiced Nora in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Chelsea Tavares
Spencer Lord as Owen
Spencer Lord, who has appeared in Family Law, Heartland, and The Good Doctor, will take on the role of Owen, a member of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and former Firefly turned WLF soldier. Currently dating Mel, he was previously in a relationship with Abby.
"A gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate," reads 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 recently announced six more actors for The Last of Us Season 2, including characters from the game with expanded roles and three entirely new characters.
Joe Pantoliano (Memento, The Matrix) will play Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from the game, whose role will be significantly expanded. Robert John Burke (RoboCop 3) will portray Seth, the bar owner and bigot from The Last of Us Part 2. Noah Lamanna (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) will step into the role of Kat, Ellie's former girlfriend.
“I get excited when I see these opportunities,” showrunner Neil Druckmann said. “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.”
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 newly created 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 for The Last of Us TV Show Season 2
Pedro Pascal as Joel
Pedro Pascal will reprise his role as Joel in Season 2. At the end of Season 1, Joel went on a rampage to save Ellie from the Fireflies, who planned to use her to develop a cure, a process that would have killed her. Joel's decision to lie to Ellie about the Fireflies' intentions and the bloodshed he caused sets the stage for further exploration in Season 2.
Who Voiced Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Troy Baker
Bella Ramsey as Ellie
Bella Ramsey will return as Ellie, continuing her journey with Joel. At the end of Season 1, Ellie was unaware of the full extent of Joel's actions to save her, and Season 2 will delve into the repercussions of his lies on their relationship.
Who Voiced Bella in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Ashley Johnson
Gabriel Luna as Tommy
Gabriel Luna will return as Tommy, Joel's brother. In Season 1, Tommy played a significant role in Jackson, where he and his wife Maria provided a home for Joel and Ellie. His character is set to have a major impact in Season 2 as well.
Who Voiced Tommy in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Pierce
Rutina Wesley as Maria
Rutina Wesley's Maria, the leader of the Jackson community and Tommy's wife, will also return in Season 2. Her warning to Ellie about trust in Season 1 hints at the complex dynamics to come.
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 Season 1 finale, so she won't appear in the present timeline of Season 2. However, flashbacks in The Last of Us Part 2 suggest she might appear in a similar capacity in the upcoming season.
Anna Torv as Tess
Anna Torv's Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel, sacrificed herself to save him and Ellie after being bitten. Although she did not appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks could provide more insight into her relationship with Joel.
Will Nick Offerman’s Bill and Murray Bartlett’s Frank Return in The Last of Us?
It appears unlikely...
The episode focusing on Nick Offerman's Bill and Murray Bartlett's Frank was a highlight of Season 1, 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," IGN's Simon Cardy wrote. "It’s an episode, just like love, that lives long in the memory after experiencing it."
Although there was hope for more through flashbacks or a potential spin-off prequel, series creator Craig Mazin has clarified that there won't be more Bill and Frank stories. "I’m very proud of the episode we did with Bill and Frank," Mazin said. "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, check out our analysis of the Season 1 finale, 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).
