Characters of The Last of Us Part II

Apr 21, 2026 - 10:39
0 0
Characters of The Last of Us Part II

+ other cast members from S1, refs

← Previous revision Revision as of 05:08, 21 April 2026
Line 31: Line 31:


For her portrayal as the primary playable character, Johnson took lessons she learned working with Baker on the first game. Johnson considered her own experiences with anxiety, and researched the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder with Druckmann. Ellie's excitement for astronomy was based on Johnson's own interests, while her obsession with comics is based on Druckmann's childhood. Gross felt that Ellie's decision to track down Abby was motivated by her desire to overcome her PTSD more than her desire to kill Abby. Gross, who has suffered twice from PTSD, considered it her responsibility to accurately depict the subject matter. The writers wanted to deconstruct the perception of violence in Joel and Ellie: while Joel is indifferent and practical, Ellie kills to maintain a "[[Culture of honor (Southern United States)|culture of honor]]" by attaching violence to her ego. Some of the team considered Ellie's obsession with Abby akin to a [[drug addiction]], and that Dina left as she felt that the obsession would never end.{{rp|at=1:10:55}} Johnson received acclaim for her performance, and she was nominated for several awards.
For her portrayal as the primary playable character, Johnson took lessons she learned working with Baker on the first game. Johnson considered her own experiences with anxiety, and researched the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder with Druckmann. Ellie's excitement for astronomy was based on Johnson's own interests, while her obsession with comics is based on Druckmann's childhood. Gross felt that Ellie's decision to track down Abby was motivated by her desire to overcome her PTSD more than her desire to kill Abby. Gross, who has suffered twice from PTSD, considered it her responsibility to accurately depict the subject matter. The writers wanted to deconstruct the perception of violence in Joel and Ellie: while Joel is indifferent and practical, Ellie kills to maintain a "[[Culture of honor (Southern United States)|culture of honor]]" by attaching violence to her ego. Some of the team considered Ellie's obsession with Abby akin to a [[drug addiction]], and that Dina left as she felt that the obsession would never end.{{rp|at=1:10:55}} Johnson received acclaim for her performance, and she was nominated for several awards.

[[Bella Ramsey]] portrays Ellie in [[HBO]]'s [[The Last of Us (TV series)|television adaptation of ''The Last of Us'']].


=== Abby ===
=== Abby ===
Line 42: Line 44:
Abby is described as having a "commanding presence", with her physical build reflecting the years of training and combat.{{rp|p=15}} Her design underwent several iterations, with the goal to portray her as "capable, utilitarian, and strong".{{rp|p=118}} Druckmann wanted to avoid casting Bailey due to her proliferation of roles, but was impressed with her audition tape in how she had played into Abby's vulnerability.{{rp|at=1:32:20}} Bailey [[worked out]] in preparation for the role,{{rp|at=24:33}} and gave birth to her first son during production.{{rp|at=13:30}} She prepared by researching people involved in wars and their coping mechanisms.{{rp|at=33:39}} Abby's face is based on Jocelyn Mettler, a [[visual effects]] artist who formerly worked at Naughty Dog, while her body was based on athlete Colleen Fotsch. Abby's character was well-received, though her playable chapters were controversial among players, and Bailey became the target of online [[death threats]]; some critics felt that the character had been unfairly maligned, and that criticisms of her muscular physique was a result of the lack of body diversity in games. Bailey received acclaim for her performance; she won accolades at the [[17th British Academy Games Awards|British Academy Games Awards]], [[The Game Awards 2020|the Game Awards]], and the [[NAVGTR Awards]].
Abby is described as having a "commanding presence", with her physical build reflecting the years of training and combat.{{rp|p=15}} Her design underwent several iterations, with the goal to portray her as "capable, utilitarian, and strong".{{rp|p=118}} Druckmann wanted to avoid casting Bailey due to her proliferation of roles, but was impressed with her audition tape in how she had played into Abby's vulnerability.{{rp|at=1:32:20}} Bailey [[worked out]] in preparation for the role,{{rp|at=24:33}} and gave birth to her first son during production.{{rp|at=13:30}} She prepared by researching people involved in wars and their coping mechanisms.{{rp|at=33:39}} Abby's face is based on Jocelyn Mettler, a [[visual effects]] artist who formerly worked at Naughty Dog, while her body was based on athlete Colleen Fotsch. Abby's character was well-received, though her playable chapters were controversial among players, and Bailey became the target of online [[death threats]]; some critics felt that the character had been unfairly maligned, and that criticisms of her muscular physique was a result of the lack of body diversity in games. Bailey received acclaim for her performance; she won accolades at the [[17th British Academy Games Awards|British Academy Games Awards]], [[The Game Awards 2020|the Game Awards]], and the [[NAVGTR Awards]].


[[Kaitlyn Dever]] portrays Abby in the [[The Last of Us season 2|second]] and [[The Last of Us season 3|third seasons]] of [[HBO]]'s [[The Last of Us (TV series)|television adaptation]] of the games.
[[Kaitlyn Dever]] portrays Abby in the [[The Last of Us season 2|second]] and [[The Last of Us season 3|third seasons]] of the television adaptation.


=== Joel ===
=== Joel ===
Line 53: Line 55:


''[[GamesRadar+]]''{{'}}s Alex Avard found that Baker "steals some of [the game's] best scenes as Joel" by adding complexities that enrich the character and relationships. Evan Lewis of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote that Baker "deserves every accolade possible for his heart-wrenching performance". ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Jonathon Dornbush lauded Baker's performance for depicting the weariness of Joel. For his role, Baker won Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama at the NAVGTR Awards. He was nominated for [[British Academy Games Award for Performer in a Supporting Role|Performer in a Supporting Role]] at the 17th British Academy Games Awards.
''[[GamesRadar+]]''{{'}}s Alex Avard found that Baker "steals some of [the game's] best scenes as Joel" by adding complexities that enrich the character and relationships. Evan Lewis of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote that Baker "deserves every accolade possible for his heart-wrenching performance". ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Jonathon Dornbush lauded Baker's performance for depicting the weariness of Joel. For his role, Baker won Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama at the NAVGTR Awards. He was nominated for [[British Academy Games Award for Performer in a Supporting Role|Performer in a Supporting Role]] at the 17th British Academy Games Awards.

[[Pedro Pascal]] portrays Joel in the [[The Last of Us season 1|first]] and second seasons of the television adaptation.


== Secondary characters ==
== Secondary characters ==
Line 62: Line 66:


Pierce felt that Tommy convincing Ellie to chase Abby at the farm is him attempting to erase his shame, comparing it to "[[Iraq War|bombing the shit out of Iraq]] after [[9/11]]", which is "not quite the right target there, but ... made some people feel righteous". He described the actions as "[[Greek tragedy]]-level stupidity", but felt that it was a human action. Early iterations of the scene had Maria visit Ellie, but she was replaced with Tommy so that Ellie "would have to face Abby's impact".{{rp|p=172}} When designing Tommy for ''Part II'', the team wanted to show his advanced age while maintaining his identity from the first game.{{rp|p=17}} For his work on the game, Pierce was nominated for Performer in a Supporting Role at the 17th British Academy Games Awards.
Pierce felt that Tommy convincing Ellie to chase Abby at the farm is him attempting to erase his shame, comparing it to "[[Iraq War|bombing the shit out of Iraq]] after [[9/11]]", which is "not quite the right target there, but ... made some people feel righteous". He described the actions as "[[Greek tragedy]]-level stupidity", but felt that it was a human action. Early iterations of the scene had Maria visit Ellie, but she was replaced with Tommy so that Ellie "would have to face Abby's impact".{{rp|p=172}} When designing Tommy for ''Part II'', the team wanted to show his advanced age while maintaining his identity from the first game.{{rp|p=17}} For his work on the game, Pierce was nominated for Performer in a Supporting Role at the 17th British Academy Games Awards.

[[Gabriel Luna]] portrays Tommy in the television adaptation.


=== Dina ===
=== Dina ===
Line 280: Line 286:


{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/the-last-of-us-clea-duvall-jorge-lendeborg-jr-manny-s3-1236707696/ |title=''The Last Of Us'' Adds Clea DuVall, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. Takes Over Manny Role In Season 3 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=February 3, 2026 |accessdate=February 3, 2026 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203210049/https://deadline.com/2026/02/the-last-of-us-clea-duvall-jorge-lendeborg-jr-manny-s3-1236707696/ |archivedate=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live }}
{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/the-last-of-us-clea-duvall-jorge-lendeborg-jr-manny-s3-1236707696/ |title=''The Last Of Us'' Adds Clea DuVall, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. Takes Over Manny Role In Season 3 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=February 3, 2026 |accessdate=February 3, 2026 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203210049/https://deadline.com/2026/02/the-last-of-us-clea-duvall-jorge-lendeborg-jr-manny-s3-1236707696/ |archivedate=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/last-of-us-series-gabriel-luna-tommy-hbo-1234952823/ |title='Last of Us' Series at HBO Casts Gabriel Luna |last=Otterson |first=Joe |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=April 15, 2021 |accessdate=April 16, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415222515/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/last-of-us-series-gabriel-luna-tommy-hbo-1234952823/ |archivedate=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-last-of-us-season-2-tommy-gabriel-luna-1235552496/ |title='The Last of Us' Actor Gabriel Luna Teases Season 2: 'De-Evolution' for Tommy and Some 'Deep, Deep Valleys' |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 14, 2023 |accessdate=March 24, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314234550/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-last-of-us-season-2-tommy-gabriel-luna-1235552496/ |archivedate=March 14, 2023 |url-status=live }}


{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/03/the-last-of-us-michelle-mao-yara-kyriana-kratter-lev-1236761572/ |title=''The Last Of Us'' Adds Michelle Mao As Yara & Kyriana Kratter As Lev For Season 3 Of HBO Series |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 20, 2026 |accessdate=March 21, 2026 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20260320203736/https://deadline.com/2026/03/the-last-of-us-michelle-mao-yara-kyriana-kratter-lev-1236761572/ |archivedate=March 20, 2026 |url-status=live }}
{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/03/the-last-of-us-michelle-mao-yara-kyriana-kratter-lev-1236761572/ |title=''The Last Of Us'' Adds Michelle Mao As Yara & Kyriana Kratter As Lev For Season 3 Of HBO Series |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 20, 2026 |accessdate=March 21, 2026 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20260320203736/https://deadline.com/2026/03/the-last-of-us-michelle-mao-yara-kyriana-kratter-lev-1236761572/ |archivedate=March 20, 2026 |url-status=live }}
Line 290: Line 300:


{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/isabela-merced-the-last-of-us-season-2-revenge-plot-1236378871/ |title=Isabela Merced Says ''The Last of Us'' Viewers Should 'Lean Into Their Frustration' While Watching Season 2 Revenge Plot |last=Lee |first=Abigail |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=April 27, 2025 |accessdate=April 28, 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428043220/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/isabela-merced-the-last-of-us-season-2-revenge-plot-1236378871/ |archivedate=April 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}
{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/isabela-merced-the-last-of-us-season-2-revenge-plot-1236378871/ |title=Isabela Merced Says ''The Last of Us'' Viewers Should 'Lean Into Their Frustration' While Watching Season 2 Revenge Plot |last=Lee |first=Abigail |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=April 27, 2025 |accessdate=April 28, 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428043220/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/isabela-merced-the-last-of-us-season-2-revenge-plot-1236378871/ |archivedate=April 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/pedro-pascal-star-joel-the-last-of-us-hbo-series-video-game-playstation-1234691935/ |title=Pedro Pascal To Star As Joel In 'The Last of Us' HBO Series Based On Video Game |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=February 10, 2021 |accessdate=February 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211034813/https://deadline.com/2021/02/pedro-pascal-star-joel-the-last-of-us-hbo-series-video-game-playstation-1234691935/ |archivedate=February 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/last-of-us-game-of-thrones-breakout-bella-ramsey-to-star-as-ellie |title='Last of Us': 'Game of Thrones' Breakout Bella Ramsey to Star as Ellie (Exclusive) |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Goldberg |first2=Lesley |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[MRC (company)|MRC]] |date=February 10, 2021 |accessdate=February 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211004556/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/last-of-us-game-of-thrones-breakout-bella-ramsey-to-star-as-ellie |archivedate=February 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-last-of-us-season-2-finale-bella-ramsey-abby-twist-1236408893/ |title=''The Last of Us'' Star Bella Ramsey on the Hardest Part of the 'Crazy' Season Finale and What the Big Twist Means For Season 3 |last=Vary |first=Adam B. |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=May 25, 2025 |accessdate=May 26, 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526031513/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-last-of-us-season-2-finale-bella-ramsey-abby-twist-1236408893/ |archivedate=May 26, 2025 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/the-last-of-us-season-2-confirmed-newsupdate/ |title=The Last of Us returning for season 2 with Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |work=[[Radio Times]] |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |date=January 27, 2023 |accessdate=March 10, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127180000/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/the-last-of-us-season-2-confirmed-newsupdate/ |archivedate=January 27, 2023 |url-status=live }}


{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/last-of-us-season-2-cast-manny-danny-ramirez-mel-owen-1235927601/ |title='Last of Us' Season 2 Casts Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, Spencer Lord |last=Otterson |first=Joe |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 1, 2024 |accessdate=March 1, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301173050/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/last-of-us-season-2-cast-manny-danny-ramirez-mel-owen-1235927601/ |archivedate=March 1, 2024 |url-status=live }}
{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/last-of-us-season-2-cast-manny-danny-ramirez-mel-owen-1235927601/ |title='Last of Us' Season 2 Casts Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, Spencer Lord |last=Otterson |first=Joe |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 1, 2024 |accessdate=March 1, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301173050/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/last-of-us-season-2-cast-manny-danny-ramirez-mel-owen-1235927601/ |archivedate=March 1, 2024 |url-status=live }}
Read More