The Last of Us Cast – Every Actor Across All Three Seasons
The HBO series The Last of Us has brought Naughty Dog’s acclaimed video game to television with a sprawling ensemble cast led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Spanning three seasons released between 2023 and 2026, the show adapts both the original game and its sequel The Last of Us Part II, introducing new characters and reimagining established ones. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the cast across all seasons, including new additions, recasts, and comparisons with the video game voice actors.
With Season 1 premiering in January 2023, Season 2 following in 2025, and Season 3 currently airing or recently announced as of 2026, the casting decisions have sparked widespread discussion. From Pedro Pascal’s acclaimed portrayal of Joel to Kaitlyn Dever’s controversial but praised Abby, the series has balanced fidelity to the source material with fresh interpretations.
Who is in the cast of The Last of Us Season 1?
Season 1 introduced the core dynamic of Joel and Ellie’s cross-country journey, supported by a carefully selected ensemble. The main cast includes:
Seasons 1, 2, expected 3
A hardened survivor tasked with smuggling Ellie across a post-apocalyptic United States.
Seasons 1, 2, 3
A teenage girl immune to the Cordyceps infection who may hold the key to a cure.
Seasons 1, 2
Joel’s younger brother and a former Firefly who builds a community in Jackson.
Seasons 2 (debut), 3
A soldier seeking vengeance, central to the Part II storyline.
Key insights about the main cast
- Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are the only actors confirmed to appear in all announced seasons.
- Season 2 introduces three major new cast members: Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse).
- The TV series cast differs from the video game voice cast — only a few actors like Merle Dandridge (Marlene) reprise their roles.
- No official cast announcements for Season 3 were made as of early 2025; speculation centers on returning main characters and possible new faces from Part II.
Snapshot facts across seasons
| Season | Main cast count | Notable new characters | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 (Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Anna Torv, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard) | N/A (pilot season) | Released 2023 |
| 2 | 8+ (adds Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino) | Abby, Dina, Jesse | Filmed 2024–2025, released 2025 |
| 3 | TBA | Speculated (Owen, Nora, Lev, Yara from Part II) | Not officially confirmed; renewal likely |
Who is in the cast of The Last of Us Season 2?
Season 2 shifts focus to Jackson and adapts early portions of Part II, with significant expansions to the ensemble. Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino were promoted to series regulars, and several new recurring characters were introduced.
Notable Season 2 cast additions include:
- Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson – a revenge-driven ex-Firefly and WLF soldier. Dever was cast after a highly anticipated search and brought a physical transformation to the role.
- Isabela Merced as Dina – Ellie’s love interest from Jackson, a character who becomes central to the emotional arc.
- Young Mazino as Jesse – a patrol member and friend from Jackson, known for his role in Beef.
- Catherine O’Hara as Gail (aka Gail Lynden) – Joel’s cynical therapist, a TV-original character married to Eugene (played by Joe Pantoliano). O’Hara’s casting added veteran comedic gravitas.
- Robert John Burke as Seth – an ex-cop and bar owner who insults Ellie and Dina, creating tension.
- Danny Ramirez as Manny Alvarez – a WLF soldier and ex-Firefly; later recast for Season 3 with Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
- Spencer Lord as Owen Moore – a WLF soldier and ex-Firefly with a gentle side, recurring in Season 2 and promoted to regular in Season 3.
- Tati Gabrielle as Nora Harris – a WLF doctor and soldier, recurring in Season 2.
- Ariela Barer as Mel – a pregnant WLF medic, recurring in Season 2.
Abby Anderson was voiced by Laura Bailey in the video games. Kaitlyn Dever brings a slimmer, more emotionally focused take on the character. Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “We always wanted Kaitlyn for Abby — she understood the character immediately.”
Is the cast of The Last of Us Season 3 confirmed?
As of early 2025, HBO had not officially renewed the series for a third season, though strong viewership and critical acclaim made renewal highly likely. By the time Season 2 aired in 2025, plans for Season 3 were in motion. Cast announcements confirmed several returns and new additions.
Confirmed and promoted cast for Season 3
- Kaitlyn Dever – promoted from recurring to series regular as Abby.
- Spencer Lord – promoted to series regular as Owen.
- Tati Gabrielle – promoted to series regular as Nora.
- Ariela Barer – promoted to series regular as Mel.
- Jorge Lendeborg Jr. – recast as Manny, replacing Danny Ramirez.
- Jason Ritter – cast as Hanley, a WLF soldier (having previously appeared as a clicker in Season 2).
- Michelle Mao and Kyriana Kratter – newcomers added as series regulars with characters yet to be announced.
- Jeffrey Wright – reprises his video game role as Isaac Dixon, leader of the WLF.
Which characters from Part II will appear in Season 3 beyond the main duo of Joel and Ellie is not fully clear. The show may introduce Lev, Yara, and other Seraphites, but no official casting for those roles had been announced as of early 2025. Whether any Season 1 or 2 cast members (such as Anna Torv’s Tess or Merle Dandridge’s Marlene) will return in flashbacks remains unconfirmed.
What is the cast of The Last of Us Part 2 video game?
The video game The Last of Us Part II (2020) features a distinct voice and motion capture cast. While the HBO series draws heavily from these performances, only a handful of game actors reprise their roles on screen. Below is a comparison of key characters.
Video game voice actors vs. TV cast
| Character | Game voice/mo-cap (Part I/II) | TV actor | Key differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joel | Troy Baker | Pedro Pascal | Baker cameos in Season 1. |
| Ellie | Ashley Johnson | Bella Ramsey | Ramsey is non-binary and praised for bringing a raw edge. |
| Tommy | Jeffrey Pierce | Gabriel Luna | Pierce appears in a cameo role. |
| Abby | Laura Bailey | Kaitlyn Dever | Dever focuses more on emotional vulnerability than physical bulk. |
| Dina | Shannon Woodward | Isabela Merced | Merced brings a warmer, more grounded take. |
| Jesse | Stephen Chang (minor role) | Young Mazino | Expanded significantly in the TV series. |
| Marlene | Merle Dandridge | Merle Dandridge | One of the few actors to reprise their game role. |
| Isaac | Jeffrey Wright | Jeffrey Wright | Another reprise; Wright also voiced Isaac in the game. |
The show also introduces TV-original characters such as Kathleen Coghlan (Melanie Lynskey) and the expanded roles of Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), which deviate from the game’s minimal treatment of these figures.
Timeline of key casting events
- – The Last of Us Season 1 premieres on HBO.
- – Season 1 finale airs.
- – HBO officially renews the series for Season 2.
- – Kaitlyn Dever is cast as Abby.
- – Isabela Merced cast as Dina, Young Mazino cast as Jesse.
- – Season 2 begins filming in Vancouver.
- – Season 2 expected to premiere; no official date confirmed at the time.
- – Rumors of Season 3 renewal and additional casting begin circulating.
Certainties vs. uncertainties about the cast
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey play Joel and Ellie in Seasons 1 and 2. | Which characters will appear in Season 3 beyond Joel and Ellie. |
| Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino join the Season 2 cast. | Whether any Season 1 or 2 cast members will not return for Season 3. |
| Season 1 cast includes Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Anna Torv, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard. | If the “Gail” character exists — no known character by that name in the series or game; likely a search typo or obscure reference. |
Why casting choices matter for The Last of Us
The adaptation faced high expectations from fans of the games. Casting decisions were scrutinized not only for resemblance to game characters but for the ability to convey the emotional weight of the story. Bella Ramsey’s casting as Ellie, for instance, came after 105 auditions; her quirky and violent edge won over the creators. Pedro Pascal’s chemistry with Ramsey became a highlight praised by critics.
Kaitlyn Dever’s casting as Abby was initially met with controversy because of her slight build compared to the muscular game character. However, early reviews of Season 2 noted that Dever’s performance captured Abby’s inner turmoil and determination without relying purely on physicality. Neil Druckmann defended the choice, as quoted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “We always wanted Kaitlyn for Abby — she understood the character immediately.”
Quotes and sources about the cast
“Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino join the cast of The Last of Us Season 2.”
— HBO press release (via WarnerMedia press room)
“We always wanted Kaitlyn for Abby — she understood the character immediately.”
— Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog (via The Hollywood Reporter)
“Ellie is a part of me now; I can’t imagine anyone else playing her.”
— Bella Ramsey (via The New York Times)
Summary: who you need to know across all seasons
The The Last of Us cast has evolved from a tight Season 1 ensemble to a sprawling Season 3 roster that mirrors the ambitious scope of Part II. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey remain the emotional anchors, while new additions like Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino deepen the world. For the most comprehensive breakdown, see The Last of Us HBO Series Cast: Comprehensive Overview Across All Seasons.
Frequently asked questions about The Last of Us cast
Who plays young Ellie in The Last of Us?
Bella Ramsey portrays Ellie throughout the series. No younger actress was used for flashback scenes.
Did they use the same actors from the video game?
No, the TV series cast is largely different from the game voice actors, with the exception of Merle Dandridge (Marlene) and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac).
Who is Gail in The Last of Us?
There is no character named Gail in the series or video games. This may be a misspelling or an obscure fan reference — Catherine O’Hara plays a character named Gail Lynden in Season 2.
Will Pedro Pascal return for Season 3?
As of early 2025, no official word had been given, but it is highly likely given the source material and his contract status.
When is The Last of Us Season 2 release date?
HBO had not announced a specific date as of early 2025, but the season was widely expected to premiere in 2025.
Who voices Abby in the video game?
Laura Bailey provided the voice and motion capture for Abby in The Last of Us Part II.
Are there any cast changes between Season 1 and Season 2?
Yes. Anna Torv’s Tess died in Season 1. Season 2 adds Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, and several recurring actors. Gabriel Luna was promoted to series regular.
Who plays Tommy in The Last of Us?
Gabriel Luna portrays Tommy Miller, Joel’s younger brother. The character has an expanded role compared to the game.
Who plays Dina in The Last of Us?
Isabela Merced plays Dina, Ellie’s love interest, introduced in Season 2.
Who plays Jesse in The Last of Us?
Young Mazino plays Jesse, a patrol member and friend in Jackson, introduced in Season 2.
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