The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us is slated to premiere on April 13, 2025, promising new characters and the return of fan favorites. Just like the first season, Season 2 will feature major characters from the games, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, alongside intriguing new additions like Catherine O'Hara as Gail. As Joel and Ellie's journey continues in this gripping post-apocalyptic world, here's a comprehensive guide to the key cast members you need to know for Season 2.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?
19 Images
The Last of Us TV Show Season 2 New Cast
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
The burning question on everyone's mind as Season 2 approached was who would portray Abby. HBO answered this by announcing that Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified, would take on the role.
Abby, a playable character in The Last of Us Part 2, plays a crucial role in the upcoming narrative. She is a member of the Fireflies who encounters Joel and Ellie early in the game. HBO describes Abby 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," stated 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, recognized from Beef, will portray Jesse in Season 2, 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 patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel, Ellie, and Tommy reside at the game's start. He is a friend of Ellie and her ex-boyfriend, Dina.
"Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him," Mazin and Druckmann remarked. "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 for her roles in Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, will play Dina, a pivotal character in the Jackson community and Ellie's partner. Her relationship with Ellie deepens 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
Catherine O'Hara's character, Gail, is a new addition created specifically for the series. Although details about Gail are scarce, it's evident she will play a significant role, likely as Joel's therapist, helping him process his pivotal decision from Season 1.
Jeffrey Wright as Isaac
Fans of The Last of Us Part 2 will be pleased to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Isaac, the leader of the Washington Liberation Front. Isaac's actions significantly impact the game's plot, and his role is expected to be equally crucial in Season 2.
Who Voiced Isaac in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Wright
Danny Ramirez as Manny
Danny Ramirez, known for his roles in 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. He is a friend of Abby and 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 who was also a member of the Fireflies. 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," 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 in Season 2. Nora is part of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' alongside Owen, Manny, and Mel, and was a medic who worked with Dr. Jerry Anderson.
"A military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past," the official HBO description of Nora reads.
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 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," the official HBO description of Owen reads.
Who Voiced Owen in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Patrick Fugit
Joe Pantoliana as Eugene, Robert John Burke as Seth, and Noah Lamanna as Kat
HBO recently announced six more actors joining The Last of Us Season 2, including three characters from the games with expanded roles and three new characters.
Joe Pantoliano (Memento, The Matrix) will play Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from The Last of Us Part 2. Although his role was brief in the game, he 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, Ellie's former girlfriend 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)
The Last of Us TV Show Season 2 Returning Cast
Pedro Pascal as Joel
Pedro Pascal will reprise his role as Joel in Season 2. At the end of Season 1, Joel had just rescued Ellie from the Fireflies, killing many to save her life. Marlene explained that the procedure to extract a potential cure from Ellie would kill her, but Joel chose to save Ellie and lied to her about the Fireflies' failure to develop a cure, leaving a trail of bloodshed behind.
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 unconscious during the hospital events, unaware of the sacrifices made on her behalf. Joel's lie about the Fireflies' failure to develop a cure leaves their relationship in a complex state, which Season 2 will explore.
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, who plays a significant role in The Last of Us Part 2. Last seen in Jackson with his wife Maria, Tommy initially agreed to take Ellie to the Fireflies but was left behind when Joel decided to continue the journey himself.
Who Voiced Tommy in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Pierce
Rutina Wesley as Maria
Rutina Wesley will reprise her role as Maria, the leader of the Jackson community and Tommy's wife. Last seen giving Ellie a haircut and cautioning her about trust, Maria's role in Season 2 is eagerly anticipated.
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, she did appear in flashbacks in The Last of Us Part 2, and it's possible she might return in similar fashion.
Anna Torv as Tess
Anna Torv's Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel, was bitten and sacrificed herself to save Joel and Ellie. While she didn't appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks to her life with Joel could be included to enrich their backstory.
Will Nick Offerman’s Bill and Murray Bartlett’s Frank Return in The Last of Us?
It doesn't seem likely...
The episode focusing on Nick Offerman's Bill and Murray Bartlett's Frank was a standout in 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," wrote IGN's Simon Cardy. "It’s an episode, just like love, that lives long in the memory after experiencing it."
While their love story concluded, there was hope for more flashbacks or even a prequel series. However, series creator Craig Mazin clarified that Offerman's mention of a prequel was a 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 breakdown of the Season 1 ending, predictions for Season 2, and discussions from the creators about Joel's decision to save Ellie.
Note: This story was updated on April 8, 2025, to add Catherine O'Hara (Gail) and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac).
