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

The long-awaited second season of The Last of Us is set to premiere on April 13, 2025, and it will introduce new characters alongside beloved returning favorites. Much like the first season, Season 2 will bring to life major characters from the games, such as Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, while also introducing new faces like Catherine O'Hara's Gail.

To help you prepare for the next chapter of Joel and Ellie's journey in this captivating yet harrowing post-apocalyptic world, we've put together a comprehensive guide to the cast members you should know about before the series continues this month.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?

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The Last of Us TV Show Season 2 New Cast

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

One of the most anticipated casting announcements for Season 2 of The Last of Us was the role of Abby. HBO revealed that Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified, will take on this pivotal character.

Abby is a central figure in The Last of Us Part 2 and plays a significant role in the upcoming narrative. Without giving too much away, Abby is a member of the Fireflies who encounters Joel and Ellie early in the second game. HBO describes her as a "skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved."

"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," series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann stated. "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, will join Season 2 of The Last of Us as Jesse, described as "a pillar of the community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost."

Jesse is introduced in The Last of Us Part 2 as a leader of the patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel, Ellie, and Tommy reside at the start of the game. He is a friend of Ellie and Dina's ex-boyfriend.

"Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him," Mazin and Druckmann said. "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 in the second season of The Last of Us. Dina is a member of the Jackson community and Ellie's partner, playing a crucial role in the story. Her relationship with Ellie deepens throughout the game, making her one of the most influential figures in Ellie's life.

"Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable," said Mazin and Druckmann. "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 joins the series as Gail, a new character created specifically for the show. While details about Gail are scarce, she appears to be Joel's therapist, aiding him in dealing with the consequences of his actions from Season 1.

Jeffrey Wright as Isaac

Fans of The Last of Us Part 2 will be pleased to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Isaac, the leader of the Washington Liberation Front. His character significantly influences the events in the game, and we anticipate his role will be just as critical in Season 2 of the HBO series.

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

Danny Ramirez as Manny

Danny Ramirez, known from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Top Gun: Maverick, will portray Manny Alverez, a member of the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly. He is a close friend of Abby and considered one of the best soldiers by WLF leader Isaac Dixon.

"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," the official HBO description of Manny reads.

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 a former Firefly. She is a friend of Abby and in a romantic relationship with Owen.

"A young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism," the official HBO description of Mel reads.

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

Tati Gabrielle as Nora

Tati Gabrielle, who appeared in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, will portray Nora in Season 2. Nora is part of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' alongside Owen, Manny, and Mel, and was a medic who worked with Dr. Jerry Anderson.

"A military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past," the official HBO description of Nora reads.

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 member of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former Firefly now serving as a soldier in the WLF. He is currently dating Mel but was once in a relationship with Abby.

"A gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate," the official HBO description of Owen reads.

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 recently announced six more actors joining The Last of Us Season 2, including Joe Pantoliano, Robert John Burke, and Noah Lamanna, who will portray characters from the games with expanded roles.

Joe Pantoliano, known for Memento and The Matrix, will play Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from The Last of Us Part 2. Although Eugene had a brief appearance in the game, his role will be more significant in the series.

“I get excited when I see these opportunities,” showrunner Neil Druckmann said. “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.”

Robert John Burke, known for RoboCop 3, will portray Seth, the bar owner and bigot sandwich-giver from The Last of Us Part 2. Noah Lamanna, known for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, will play Kat, who dated Ellie before the events of the second game.

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, Ben Ahlers, and Hettienne Park have joined the cast of The Last of Us Season 2 as newly created 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 in the second season of The Last of Us. At the end of Season 1, Joel went on a rampage to save Ellie from the Fireflies, who planned to use her to develop a cure, which would have resulted in her death. Joel lied to Ellie, telling her the Fireflies had already failed to find a cure and no longer needed her, withholding the truth about the violence he committed.

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

Bella Ramsey as Ellie

Bella Ramsey will return as Ellie in Season 2, continuing her journey alongside Pedro Pascal's Joel. At the end of Season 1, Ellie was unaware of the full extent of Joel's actions to save her from the Fireflies. Season 2 will explore the impact of Joel's lie 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 played a significant role in The Last of Us Part 2. We last saw Tommy in Jackson with his wife, Maria. Initially, Joel asked Tommy to take Ellie to the Fireflies, but he changed his mind after bonding with Ellie, leaving Tommy behind in Jackson.

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

Rutina Wesley as Maria

Rutina Wesley will reprise her role as Maria, the leader of the Jackson community and Tommy's wife. In Season 1, Maria cut Ellie's hair and advised her to be cautious about whom to trust. We look forward to seeing how her character evolves in Season 2.

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

Merle Dandridge as Marlene

Merle Dandridge's Marlene was killed by Joel in the final episode of Season 1, so she won't appear in the present timeline of Season 2. However, she did appear in flashbacks in The Last of Us Part 2, and it's possible she may return in a similar capacity in the upcoming season.

Anna Torv as Tess

Anna Torv's Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel in Boston, sacrificed herself to save Joel and Ellie after being bitten. While Tess did not appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks to her life with Joel could be used to further develop their backstory in the series.

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

It doesn't seem likely...

The episode focusing on Nick Offerman's Bill and Murray Bartlett's Frank was one of the standout episodes of Season 1, earning a rare 10/10 from us. "Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett take on leading role duties with elegance, leaving an unmistakably beautiful mark on the show as we’re shown a side of humanity that makes what Joel and Ellie are fighting for worth saving," IGN's Simon Cardy wrote. "It’s an episode, just like love, that lives long in the memory after experiencing it."

While their love story concluded, there was hope for a flashback or even a spin-off prequel series. However, series co-creator Craig Mazin has clarified that there won't be more Bill and Frank. "I’m very proud of the episode we did with Bill and Frank," Mazin said. "There won’t be more Bill and Frank. Nick was joking about a prequel, that was kind of a joke. We are very happy with what we achieved."

For more insights, check out our breakdown of the ending of The Last of Us Season 1, our predictions for Season 2, and the thoughts of the HBO creators on whether Joel was right to save Ellie.

Note: This story was updated on April 8, 2025, to add Catherine O'Hara (Gail) and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac).