Okay, grab your backpacks, sharpen your machetes, and prepare your feelings¡ªbecause The Last of Us Season 2 is finally about to drop on HBO, and it is giving chaotic iconic. After keeping us hanging since its epic 2023 debut, the series is returning to take over The White Lotus time slot (sorry, spa girls).
But let us talk what really matters: the cast. Because this lineup? Oh, it is nothing short of a zombie-slaying, emotionally-devastating masterclass. Yes, your faves are back, and yes, some brand new power players are here to shake things up like a fungal outbreak in a free clinic.
Of course, Bella Ramsey is back as Ellie¡ªbecause duh. Bella¡¯s performance in season one turned everyone into a sobbing puddle, and fans are not ready for what she brings to Ellie¡¯s next chapter. Right alongside her is our internet daddy Pedro Pascal as Joel. The emotional trauma continues!
Gabriel Luna is back as Joel¡¯s brother Tommy (and still possibly the most emotionally stable person on the show?), and Rutina Wesley returns as Maria Miller, Tommy¡¯s badass wife who deserves more screentime and probably her own spinoff.
Now, let us get into the juicy part¡ªthe newbies. Starting with THE Kaitlyn Dever, who is stepping into the role of Abby. If you have played the game, you already know Abby is¡ complicated. Rival energy? Check. Emotional chaos? Double check. Twitter threads about her character arc? Loading.
Isabela Merced has been cast as Dina, aka Ellie¡¯s love interest and certified partner-in-survival. The two were already seen vibing at an event in late 2023, and the fandom has not been calm since. Let the ship wars begin.
Meanwhile, Catherine O¡¯Hara has also joined the squad, and while her exact role is a mystery, the whispers say she is playing Joel¡¯s therapist. Yes, you read that right¡ªJoel in therapy. Cue nervous laughter.
Netflix¡¯s Beef breakout Young Mazino joins the chaos as Jesse¡ªexpect action, tension, and fan edits. Danny Ramirez, last seen flying high in Top Gun: Maverick, is Manny¡ªa sunny soldier with dark scars (emotional and otherwise). Drama, but make it adorable.
Ariela Barer is stepping in as Mel, a doctor caught between her medical oath and the brutality of this fungal apocalypse. Tati Gabrielle plays Nora, a military medic with baggage, and Spencer Lord takes on Owen, a warrior who is tired of war (relatable, bestie).
So yeah, HBO knew exactly what it was doing. The Last of Us Season 2 is not just a show, it is an event¡ªand with this mix of returning icons and new firepower, it is about to wreck your soul all over again. Get ready.