If you’ve been following HBO’s adaptation of Naughty Dog’s blockbuster game, you’re probably curious about who actually shows up on screen. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey carry the emotional weight of the series as Joel and Ellie, but the supporting cast in seasons 1 and 2 adds serious depth. The big question on everyone’s mind: is Pascal sticking around for season 3?

Lead Actor (Joel): Pedro Pascal · Ellie Actor: Bella Ramsey · Season 2 Dina: Isabela Merced · Season 2 Jesse: Young Mazino · Abby Actor: Kaitlyn Dever

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Pascal returns as Joel in season 2 (Wikipedia)
  • Bella Ramsey plays Ellie across all seasons (Wikipedia)
  • Season 2 aired April–May 2025 with 7 episodes (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Full season 3 cast list remains unannounced
  • Whether Manny will be recast or written out
  • Which game characters appear in season 3
3Timeline signal
  • Season 1 released January 2023
  • Season 2 premiered April 13, 2025
  • Season 3 production status TBA
4What’s next
  • HBO renewed for season 3 based on Part II story
  • Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann confirmed return
  • Recurring cast likely promoted to regular status

The table below consolidates essential production and casting facts for quick reference.

Field Value
Showrunners Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Main Cast Size Over 20 named actors
Seasons Released 1 (2023)
Ellie Actor Bella Ramsey
Joel Actor Pedro Pascal

Together, Mazin and Druckmann have assembled a cast spanning more than 20 named roles while anchoring the adaptation in source-material fidelity.

Who is the cast of Last of Us season 2?

Season 2 brings back the core duo while expanding the world significantly. Pascal and Ramsey anchor the series as Joel and Ellie respectively, with their strained relationship driving much of the emotional conflict.

Main returning cast

  • Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller – The hardened middle-aged survivor whose actions in season 1’s finale set season 2’s revenge narrative in motion (Wikipedia)
  • Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams – Now 19 and immune to Cordyceps, Ellie gets a tattoo, plays guitar, and navigates a relationship with Dina (Wikipedia)
  • Gabriel Luna as Tommy Miller – Joel’s brother runs Jackson commune with wife Maria and son Benji, his arc explores survivor’s guilt (Wikipedia)
  • Rutina Wesley as Maria Miller – Co-leader of Jackson and former ADA, Maria’s arc reflects community-building in a broken world (Wikipedia)

New season 2 characters

  • Isabela Merced as Dina – Ellie’s romantic interest and Jesse’s ex, a freewheeling spirit loyal to Ellie who is pregnant with Jesse’s child (Wikipedia)
  • Young Mazino as Jesse – Ellie’s friend and Dina’s ex, provides grounding for the Jackson crew (Wikipedia)
  • Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson – WLF soldier and former Firefly seeking revenge on Joel, her casting was prioritized and announced in May 2024 (Wikipedia)
  • Catherine O’Hara as Gail Lynden – Joel’s cynical therapist and Eugene’s wife, casting announced May 2024 (Wikipedia)
  • Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Dixon – Ruthless WLF leader, reprises voice role from the game, casting announced May 24, 2024 (Wikipedia)
Bottom line: Season 2 retains Pascal and Ramsey while adding significant firepower with Dever, Merced, and Wright.

Cast of The Last of Us season 1

Season 1 established the core cast that viewers fell in love with, drawing primarily from the first game while adding original characters to flesh out the world.

Core season 1 actors

  • Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller – His performance defined the show’s emotional core
  • Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams – Young immune survivor whose journey drives the narrative
  • Gabriel Luna as Tommy Miller – Joel’s protective brother
  • Merlina (original character not in game)

Supporting cast

  • Nico Parker as Sarah Miller – Joel’s daughter in the prologue
  • Nico (error in source)
  • Baroness (original character)
Bottom line: The season 1 foundation gave Pascal and Ramsey the platform to become household names in prestige TV.

Is there a Last of Us season 3?

HBO has renewed the series, but detailed casting announcements remain forthcoming. According to coverage from Teen Vogue’s coverage via Wikipedia, production updates on season 3 cast are expected to follow the season 2 finale pattern.

Season 3 cast rumors

  • Ellie’s return for season 3 is widely expected given her central role in Part II’s story
  • Showrunners have indicated the story will continue through Part II’s narrative
  • Season 2 recurring cast members like Merced and Mazino are likely to be promoted to regular status

Confirmed production

  • HBO officially renewed the series through at least season 3
  • Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann continue as showrunners
  • Season 2 finale “Convergence” aired May 25, 2025
Bottom line: Season 3 is confirmed, but fans will need to wait for official casting announcements.

Why did Pedro Pascal leave The Last of Us?

The short answer: he didn’t. Despite viral rumors and fan anxiety, Pedro Pascal remains firmly attached to the series as Joel Miller for season 2 and beyond.

Pedro Pascal return confirmation

  • Pascal confirmed in multiple interviews that he returned for season 2
  • The “Future Days” premiere aired April 13, 2025 featured Pascal prominently
  • His scenes in episodes like “Through the Valley” (April 20, 2025) and “The Path” (April 27, 2025) confirm continued involvement

Health rumors addressed

Unverified reports about Pascal’s health affecting filming have circulated online, but production continued on schedule through 2025. The actor maintains a robust schedule across multiple franchises, suggesting no significant scheduling conflicts with The Last of Us.

Bottom line: Pedro Pascal is not leaving The Last of Us. Fans can expect him as Joel through at least season 3.

Cast of The Last of Us key characters like Ellie and Abby

These two characters represent the emotional center of Part II’s story, and their casting decisions were scrutinized closely by fans of the game.

Ellie actor details

  • Bella Ramsey plays Ellie Williams
  • Age 19 in season 2, immune to Cordyceps
  • Skills include guitar playing and tattoo artistry
  • Romantic involvement with Dina
  • Has appeared in every episode across both seasons

Abby and others

  • Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson – WLF soldier and former Firefly
  • Casting was prioritized by the production team
  • Dever became frontrunner after her performance in “No One Will Save You”
  • Announced in January 2024, with filming following the strike
Bottom line: Ramsey and Dever’s casting were both critical decisions that paid off in critical reception.
The upshot

The production team prioritized Abby’s casting above other roles because her character drives the central conflict of season 2, according to analysis from Wikipedia’s character coverage.

Timeline

This timeline tracks key casting announcements and episode releases for the series.

Date Event
2023 Season 1 release with Pascal and Ramsey
January 2024 Casting of Dever, Merced, Mazino announced
May 2024 Catherine O’Hara casting announced
March 1, 2024 Ramirez, Barer, Gabrielle, Lord announced
May 24, 2024 Jeffrey Wright as Isaac announced
April 13, 2025 Season 2 premiere “Future Days” aired
May 25, 2025 Season 2 finale “Convergence” aired
TBA Season 3 production

What this pattern shows is that major casting announcements consistently preceded each season by roughly a year, giving audiences time to process new additions before their on-screen debut.

Confirmed facts

  • Pedro Pascal returns season 2
  • Bella Ramsey plays Ellie all seasons
  • Season 2 has 7 episodes
  • Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Kaitlyn Dever join as new main cast
  • Season 2 aired April–January 2024 on HBO

Unclear / rumored

  • Full season 3 cast list
  • Manny recasting for season 3
  • Pedro Pascal health impact on filming
  • Which Part II characters appear in season 3

What cast and producers say

The production team wanted to start the second season’s casting with Abby.

— Production team statement, Wikipedia

Season 2 is based on the first half of The Last of Us Part II game, with the story following the revenge narrative that defines the sequel.

— Wikipedia, The Last of Us Season 2

Why this matters

The casting of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby was particularly significant because the production team reportedly prioritized filling this role first. Dever’s casting in January 2024, before the strike ended, indicated how crucial her portrayal was to the season’s success, according to Wikipedia’s character analysis.

For Pedro Pascal fans worried about his involvement, the evidence is clear: his character appears throughout all seven episodes of season 2, from the April 13 premiere through the May 25 finale. The “Future Days,” “Through the Valley,” and “The Path” episodes all feature Pascal prominently, confirming his continued commitment to the role.

For viewers curious about where the series goes after season 2, the showrunners have confirmed the adaptation will continue covering Part II’s narrative, which means season 3 will need to cast additional characters from the game. Fans should watch for casting announcements in late 2025 or early 2026 as production ramps up.

Related reading: The Fall (TV Series) – Cast, Seasons and Plot Guide · The Imposter Channel 5 Cast – Full List, Roles and Reviews

While Pedro Pascal reprises Joel opposite Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, season 2 cast guide spotlights key newcomers like Kaitlyn Dever for season 2’s expanded ensemble.

Frequently asked questions

What gender is Ellie from The Last of Us?

Ellie Williams is female, portrayed by Bella Ramsey. In season 2, she is 19 years old.

Are Ellie and Dina lesbians?

Ellie and Dina have a romantic relationship in season 2. Dina is also pregnant with Jesse’s child and is his ex-girlfriend.

Who does Ellie sleep with?

In season 2, Ellie has a romantic relationship with Dina, though their relationship is complicated by Dina’s past with Jesse.

Is Ellie in season 3 of Last of Us?

Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, is expected to return for season 3 given her central role in Part II’s story, though official casting has not been announced.

Why did Ellie let Abby live?

In the game, Ellie spares Abby at the climax because she realizes revenge isn’t worth losing everything else. The TV adaptation will likely explore this moment in season 3.

What is Pedro Pascal suffering from?

There is no verified information about Pedro Pascal suffering from any health condition. Rumors circulating online about his health affecting filming remain unconfirmed.

Is there a Last of Us season 3?

Yes, HBO has renewed The Last of Us for season 3. Production details and casting announcements are expected to follow season 2’s conclusion in 2025.