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

The highly anticipated second season of *The Last of Us* is scheduled to premiere on April 13, 2025, promising to introduce new characters while welcoming back familiar faces. Just as the first season did, Season 2 will feature key characters from the game, including Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, and introduce intriguing new characters like Catherine O'Hara's Gail. To prepare you for Joel and Ellie's ongoing journey in this captivating yet harrowing post-apocalyptic world, we've put together a comprehensive guide of the cast members you should know.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Returning to the HBO Series?

19 ImagesNew Cast Members for The Last of Us Season 2

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

One of the most eagerly awaited casting announcements for Season 2 was who would portray Abby. HBO revealed that Booksmart and Justified star Kaitlyn Dever would take on the role.

Abby is a central figure in The Last of Us Part 2 and plays a crucial part in the upcoming narrative. She is a member of the Fireflies whose path intersects with Joel and Ellie early in the game. HBO describes Abby 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

Beef star Young Mazino joins Season 2 as Jesse, described as a "pillar of the community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost."

Jesse was 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 beginning of the game. He is a friend and ex-boyfriend of Ellie.

"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, known for Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, steps into the role of Dina. Dina, a member of the Jackson community, is Ellie’s partner and plays a significant role in the story. Her relationship with Ellie deepens throughout the game, making her a vital influence 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

Little is known about Catherine O'Hara's character Gail, who is a new addition to the series. It appears she will serve as Joel's therapist, helping him process his decisions from Season 1.

Jeffrey Wright as Isaac

Fans of The Last of Us Part 2 will be pleased to see Jeffrey Wright reprising his role as the ruthless leader of the Washington Liberation Front, Isaac. His actions in the game set major events in motion, and he is expected to be equally pivotal 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, plays Manny Alvarez, 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," reads the official HBO description of Manny.

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

Ariela Barer as Mel

Ariela Barer from Runaways takes on the role of 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," reads the official HBO description of Mel.

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

Tati Gabrielle as Nora

Tati Gabrielle, known from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, plays Nora, another member of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' alongside Owen, Manny, and Mel. She was also a medic who worked with Dr. Jerry Anderson.

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

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

Spencer Lord as Owen

Spencer Lord, who has appeared in Family Law, Heartland, and The Good Doctor, takes on the role of Owen, a member of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former Firefly now serving 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," reads the official HBO description of Owen.

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 for The Last of Us Season 2, three of whom are characters from the game with expanded roles, and three who are entirely new.

Joe Pantoliano (Memento, The Matrix), Robert John Burke (RoboCop 3), and Noah Lamanna (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) will portray Eugene, Seth, and Kat, respectively, all of whom were introduced in the games.

Pantoliano plays Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from The Last of Us Part 2, who will have a more significant role 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.”

Burke plays Seth, the bar owner and bigot sandwich-giver from The Last of Us Part 2, while Lamanna steps into the role of 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 (Euphoria, Bombshell), Ben Ahlers (The Gilded Age, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and Hettienne Park (Don't Look Up) join the cast 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)

Returning Cast for The Last of Us Season 2

Pedro Pascal as Joel

Pedro Pascal returns as Joel, who at the end of Season 1, went on a rampage to save Ellie from the Fireflies. Despite the potential cure for the cordyceps infection being within reach, Joel chose to save Ellie, killing many and lying to her about the Fireflies' failure to develop a cure. This decision leaves their relationship on uneasy ground as Season 2 begins.

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

Bella Ramsey as Ellie

Bella Ramsey returns as Ellie, who was last seen being lied to by Joel about the Fireflies' intentions. Unaware of the bloodshed and the truth about her potential role in a cure, Ellie's trust in Joel is tested, setting the stage for a deep dive into their relationship in Season 2.

Who Voiced Ellie in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Ashley Johnson

Gabriel Luna as Tommy

Gabriel Luna reprises his role as Tommy, Joel's brother, who played a significant part in The Last of Us Part 2. Last seen in Jackson with his wife Maria, Tommy had offered to take Ellie to the Fireflies, but Joel ultimately decided to do it himself.

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

Rutina Wesley as Maria

Rutina Wesley returns as Maria, a leader in the Jackson community and Tommy's wife. Last seen warning Ellie to be cautious about trust, Maria's role in Season 2 is eagerly anticipated.

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 Season 1 finale, 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, suggesting a possible return in similar sequences.

Anna Torv as Tess

Anna Torv's Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel, sacrificed herself to save Joel and Ellie after being bitten. Though Tess did not appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks could explore her past 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 highlight 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 story has concluded, there was hope for flashbacks or a potential spin-off. However, Craig Mazin clarified that Offerman's mention of a prequel was in jest. "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, check out our breakdown of the ending of The Last of Us Season 1, our predictions for Season 2, and insights from the creators 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).