"The Last of Us Season 2: New and Returning Cast Revealed"

The highly anticipated second season of *The Last of Us* is set to premiere on April 13, 2025, bringing with it a mix of familiar faces and exciting new additions. As with the first season, fans can expect to see iconic characters from the video games, such as Kaitlyn Dever's portrayal of Abby, alongside intriguing new characters like Catherine O'Hara's mysterious Gail.

To prepare you for the continuation of Joel and Ellie's journey through a haunting post-apocalyptic landscape, we've put together this comprehensive guide to the cast of Season 2. From new characters to beloved returning ones, here's everything you need to know.

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

One of the most anticipated casting announcements for Season 2 was who would play Abby. HBO revealed that Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified, would take on this pivotal role.

Abby, a central character in The Last of Us Part 2, plays a significant role in the unfolding narrative. She is a skilled soldier with a black-and-white worldview that is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved. Series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann emphasized the importance of casting, stating, "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. 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, known for his role in Beef, joins the cast as Jesse, 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 the patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, and a friend and ex-boyfriend of Ellie. Mazin and Druckmann praised Mazino's talent, saying, "Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him. 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, who starred in Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, will portray Dina, a key figure in Jackson and Ellie’s partner. Dina's relationship with Ellie evolves throughout the game, and Merced's casting was hailed by Mazin and Druckmann as a perfect fit, stating, "Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable. 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 to the series, created specifically for the show. While details are scarce, it appears Gail will serve as Joel's therapist, helping him grapple with the consequences of his actions from Season 1.

Jeffrey Wright as Isaac

Fans of the game will be pleased to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Isaac, the ruthless leader of the Washington Liberation Front. Known for his roles in Westworld and The Batman, Wright's character sets major events in motion in The Last of Us Part 2, and is expected to do the same in Season 2.

Who Voiced Isaac in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Wright

Danny Ramirez as Manny

Danny Ramirez, seen in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Top Gun: Maverick, will play Manny Alvarez, a member of the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly. Manny is a close friend of Abby and considered one of the best soldiers by WLF leader Isaac Dixon. HBO describes Manny as "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."

Who Voiced Manny in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Alejandro Edda

Ariela Barer as Mel

Ariela Barer, known for Runaways, will play Mel, a medic in the Washington Liberation Front and former Firefly. Mel is a friend of Abby and is in a romantic relationship with Owen. HBO describes her as "a young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism."

Who Voiced Mel in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Ashly Burch

Tati Gabrielle as Nora

Tati Gabrielle, from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, will portray Nora, another member of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' alongside Owen, Manny, and Mel. Nora is described by HBO as "a military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past."

Who Voiced Nora in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Chelsea Tavares

Spencer Lord as Owen

Spencer Lord, known for his roles in Family Law, Heartland, and The Good Doctor, will play Owen, a former Firefly turned WLF soldier. Owen is part of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and is currently dating Mel but was previously in a relationship with Abby. HBO describes him as "a gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate."

Who Voiced Owen in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Patrick Fugit

Joe Pantoliano as Eugene, Robert John Burke as Seth, and Noah Lamanna as Kat

HBO has announced the addition of six more actors to the Season 2 cast, including three characters from the game with expanded roles and three new characters. Joe Pantoliano (Memento, The Matrix) will play Eugene, originally a minor character in The Last of Us Part 2 but with a more significant role in the series. Robert John Burke (RoboCop 3) will portray Seth, a bar owner, and Noah Lamanna (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) will play Kat, who dated Ellie before the events of the second game.

Showrunner Neil Druckmann expressed excitement about these additions, saying, "I get excited when I see these opportunities. 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."

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, whose actions at the end of Season 1 had profound implications. After rescuing Ellie from the Fireflies and killing many in the process, Joel lied to Ellie about the Fireflies' failure to develop a cure, leaving their relationship on uneasy ground.

Who Voiced Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Troy Baker

Bella Ramsey as Ellie

Bella Ramsey returns as Ellie, whose journey continues to be intertwined with Joel's. After being rescued by Joel and learning about his deception, Season 2 will explore the impact of these events on their relationship.

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 crucial role in The Last of Us Part 2. Last seen in Jackson with his wife Maria, Tommy's storyline will continue to unfold in Season 2.

Who Voiced Tommy in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Jeffrey Pierce

Rutina Wesley as Maria

Rutina Wesley reprises her role as Maria, the leader of the Jackson community and Tommy's wife. Her interactions with Ellie in Season 1 hinted at her importance, and fans can look forward to seeing more of her in Season 2.

Will Marlene or Tess Appear in Season 2 of The Last of Us?

Merle Dandridge as Marlene

Merle Dandridge, who played Marlene, was killed by Joel in the Season 1 finale. While she won't appear in the present timeline of Season 2, flashbacks in The Last of Us Part 2 suggest she could reappear in similar scenes in the series.

Anna Torv as Tess

Anna Torv portrayed Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel, who sacrificed herself to save Joel and Ellie. Though Tess did not appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks could provide more insight into her life and relationship with Joel.

Will Nick Offerman’s Bill and Murray Bartlett’s Frank Return in The Last of Us?

It seems unlikely...

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 IGN. While there was hope for their return in flashbacks, series creator Craig Mazin has confirmed that there won't be more Bill and Frank, debunking any rumors of a prequel spin-off.

For more insights, check out our breakdown of the Season 1 ending, predictions for Season 2, and the creators' thoughts on 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).