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

The eagerly awaited second season of *The Last of Us* is scheduled to premiere on April 13, 2025, introducing both new and familiar faces to the screen. As with the first season, fans can expect major characters from the games, such as Kaitlyn Dever's portrayal of Abby, alongside intriguing newcomers like Catherine O'Hara's character, Gail.

To prepare you for the next chapter in Joel and Ellie's journey through the gripping post-apocalyptic world, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the cast members you should know before diving into Season 2.

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

The biggest question surrounding Season 2 was who would portray Abby. HBO has answered this by casting Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified, to bring Abby to life.

Abby is a central character in The Last of Us Part 2, a member of the Fireflies whose journey intertwines with Joel and Ellie's early on. 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," said series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. "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 portray Jesse, a key figure in Season 2 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 patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel, Ellie, and Tommy reside at the start of the game. He is a friend of Ellie and an ex-boyfriend of Dina.

"Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him," said Mazin and Druckmann. "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 play Dina, a pivotal character from the Jackson community and Ellie’s partner.

Dina's relationship with Ellie is central to the story, evolving significantly throughout the game. She is a strong influence in Ellie's life, though whether Ellie always heeds her advice remains to be seen.

"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 will play Gail, a new character created specifically for the series. Though details are scarce, it appears Gail will serve as Joel's therapist, aiding him in dealing with the aftermath of his critical decision 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 Isaac, the ruthless leader of the Washington Liberation Front. His actions in the game set significant events in motion, and his character is expected to be just as crucial in Season 2.

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

Danny Ramirez as Manny

Danny Ramirez, known for 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. A friend of Abby, Manny is 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, known for Runaways, will portray Mel, a medic in the Washington Liberation Front and former Firefly. A friend of Abby, Mel is 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, who appeared in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, will play Nora, another member of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' alongside Owen, Manny, and Mel. Nora was 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, known for roles in Family Law, Heartland, and The Good Doctor, will portray Owen, a member of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and former Firefly, now 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," 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 has announced six additional actors for Season 2, including Joe Pantoliano, Robert John Burke, and Noah Lamanna, who will portray characters from the games with expanded roles.

Joe Pantoliano will play Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from The Last of Us Part 2, whose role will be more significant in the series.

“I get excited when I see these opportunities,” said showrunner Neil Druckmann. “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 will portray Seth, the bar owner and bigot sandwich-giver from The Last of Us Part 2, and Noah Lamanna will play Kat, who dated Ellie before the events of the game.

Image Credits: John Pantoliano (Theo Wargo/Getty Images), Robert John Burke (Jim Spellman/FilmMagic), and Noah Lamanna (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 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, last seen after his rampage against the Fireflies to save Ellie. Marlene had explained that Ellie's death might lead to a cure, but Joel chose to rescue her, lying to Ellie about the Fireflies' failure and the bloodshed he left behind.

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

Bella Ramsey as Ellie

Bella Ramsey will return as Ellie, who was last seen being lied to by Joel about the events at the hospital. Unconscious during the rescue, Ellie's reaction to Joel's deception will be a focal point of Season 2.

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. Last seen in Jackson with his wife, Maria, Tommy had initially been tasked with taking Ellie to the Fireflies but was left behind when Joel and Ellie continued their journey.

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. Last seen giving Ellie a haircut and warning her 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 appeared in flashbacks in The Last of Us Part 2 and may return in that capacity.

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. While Tess did not appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks to her life with Joel could be explored 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 a standout in Season 1, earning a rare 10/10 from us. While their story has concluded, there was hope for flashbacks or even a prequel series. However, series co-creator Craig Mazin has confirmed that there won't be more Bill and Frank, and Offerman's prequel comment was in jest.

For more, check out our breakdown of the ending of The Last of Us Season 1, our 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).