With “The Last of Us” returning to HBO on Sunday, April 13, the cast and showrunners recently reunited for a press conference that balanced levity with deep emotional reflection. In a room filled with members of the press—many of whom revealed themselves as longtime fans of the video game or the series—the panel offered an extended look at what to expect from Season 2, as well as the unique camaraderie behind one of television’s most emotionally ambitious shows.
Season 1 of “The Last of Us”, adapted from the 2013 PlayStation game of the same name, followed Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor of a global fungal outbreak, and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a teenage girl who may hold the key to humanity’s survival. What began as a dangerous escort mission evolved into one of the most critically acclaimed series of 2023, driven by its emotional nuance, moral complexity, and standout performances. By the time the season ended, Joel had made a harrowing decision that left Ellie questioning not just their future, but the nature of their bond.
Season 2 picks up five years later, with both characters still reeling from the consequences of Joel’s choice. That weight is evident in the first episode, which critics and press had previewed ahead of the panel. Pedro Pascal reflected on how this time jump deepens the emotional terrain: “My mindset was grateful to be back, and yet at the same time, this experience—more than any other I’ve had—is hard for me to separate from what the characters are going through. In a way that isn’t very healthy.”
Ramsey echoed the sentiment, admitting it was “a little bit scary” stepping back into the spotlight. “I think I’m just so aware of Season 2 coming out and everybody looking at it… and looking at me,” they said. “But it’s exciting. I’m trying to see it as a celebration of all the hard work we did.”
While Joel and Ellie are emotionally distant in the show, Pascal and Ramsey’s real-life bond remains strong. The press conference was filled with playful banter between the two actors, with Pascal teasing Ramsey about the audience’s gaze: “You get a cognitive dose of it right now with everyone staring at us.” At one point, when Pascal had set his mic down, Ramsey held hers up to his mouth mid-answer, prompting Craig Mazin to joke, “Do you think Pedro knows he’s not holding that microphone?”
That closeness only adds to the heartbreak of their onscreen estrangement. “We just had to not like each other for a bit,” Ramsey said of their dynamic in Season 2. “It wasn’t a nice feeling.” Pascal agreed, recalling their first day back on set: “There’s an incredibly painful distance between the two of them in the playing of the scene, but we still got to be on set and laugh. That was like coming home.”
As with Season 1, Season 2 draws heavily from the source material, this time adapting the controversial but narratively daring 2020 sequel “The Last of Us Part II”. While the sequel game was praised for its ambition, its nonlinear structure and shifting perspectives sparked passionate debate among fans. For creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the challenge was in reimagining that experience for television.
“In the game, you immediately form an empathic connection with Abbie because you’re surviving as her,” Druckmann said. “We couldn’t do that in the show. So we needed other tools. That context gave us a shortcut.” He added, “If we were to stick to a very similar timeline [as the game], viewers would have to wait a very, very long time to get that context. And it would probably get spoiled between seasons.”
That decision to introduce Abbie’s backstory earlier is just one of several changes meant to bridge the gap between player experience and passive viewing. “We try to earn every emotional moment,” Mazin said, “but we’re also not afraid to restructure if it means honoring the heart of the story.”
Kaitlyn Dever (“Dopesick,” “Booksmart”), who plays Abbie, spoke openly about how surreal it was to join a world she had once read for years earlier when “The Last of Us” was still being considered for a film adaptation. “It just felt right. Abbie felt right. It was really a thrill—as a person and an actor.”
Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), who plays Dina, described her character as Ellie’s “compass and light,” and hinted that viewers will see a more layered side of her. “Dina’s also grieving,” she said. “We explore that… [groans] spoilers.”
Young Mazino (“Beef”), who plays Jesse, reflected on the scale of the production: “I started to feel a little tripped out seeing the size of the town and the huge gates they built. But the energy was so warm and inviting. There was no ego on set.”
Returning cast member Gabriel Luna, who plays Tommy, revealed that his character is now a father and holds more responsibility within the community. “Our family has grown. And you get to examine how we raise a son versus a daughter. It’s about how we allow danger into our lives in order to prepare the people we love.”
Season 1 was anchored by moments of unexpected tenderness—none more iconic than the Nick Offerman-led episode “Long, Long Time.” Asked whether Season 2 would include similar standalone storytelling, Mazin teased, “There is a gorgeous episode this season directed by Neil that is different than anything else in the season. It’s not Bill and Frank, but it’s its own thing because it needed to be.”
When the cast was asked to sum up Season 2 in a single word, the answers hinted at the emotional weight ahead. “Explosive,” said Mazino. “Grief,” offered Merced. “Vengeance,” added Luna. Dever chose “Gripping,” while Pascal and Ramsey jokingly responded with “Snowy” and “Rainy.” Druckmann went with “Love.” Mazin, after a pause, simply said, “Beautiful.”
Whether Season 2 can recapture the alchemy of the show’s debut remains to be seen. But with its nuanced storytelling, bold structural risks, and a cast that clearly cares deeply about the material—and each other—”The Last of Us” is poised to once again dominate both awards season and the cultural conversation.
Ahead of its Season 2 premiere, “The Last of Us” has been renewed for a third season. The seven-episode second season of “The Last of Us” debuts Sunday, April 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.