The much-anticipated second season of The Last of Us is slated to premiere on April 13, 2025, introducing new characters and welcoming back beloved ones. Fans can look forward to seeing major characters from the games, such as Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, as well as intriguing new additions like Catherine O'Hara's Gail. To prepare you for the continuation of Joel and Ellie's journey in this captivating yet harrowing post-apocalyptic world, we've compiled this essential guide to the cast of Season 2.

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

The burning question heading into Season 2 was who would take on the role of Abby. HBO has answered this by casting Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified, in this pivotal role. Abby is a central character in The Last of Us Part 2, a skilled soldier and Firefly member whose path crosses with Joel and Ellie early in the game. Her black-and-white worldview is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved, as described by HBO.

"Our casting process for season two mirrored that of season one: we seek out world-class actors who capture the essence of the characters from the source material," stated series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. "Nothing is more important than talent, and we're thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella, and our talented ensemble."

Who Voiced Abby in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Laura Bailey

Young Mazino as Jesse

Young Mazino, renowned for his role in Beef, joins the cast as Jesse, described as a community pillar who prioritizes others' needs, often at great personal cost. Introduced in The Last of Us Part 2, Jesse leads patrol groups in Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel, Ellie, and Tommy reside at the game's start. He is a friend and ex-boyfriend of Ellie.

"Young is one of those rare actors who captivates the moment he appears on screen," Mazin and Druckmann remarked. "We're incredibly fortunate to have him, and we can't wait for audiences to see Young's performance in our series."

Who Voiced Jesse in The Last of Us Part 2 Game? Stephen Chang

Isabella Merced as Dina

Isabella Merced, known from Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, steps into the role of Dina. A key figure in the Jackson community and Ellie's partner, Dina's relationship with Ellie evolves significantly throughout the game. She is a strong influence in Ellie's life, yet whether Ellie always heeds her advice remains to be seen.

"Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable," Mazin and Druckmann said. "You could search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of these qualities, 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 fresh addition to the series, crafted specifically for the show. While details about Gail are scarce, it's clear she plays a significant role as Joel's therapist, helping him navigate the aftermath of his pivotal 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. Isaac's actions in the game significantly influence the plot, and he is expected to be equally crucial in Season 2 of the Max series.

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

Danny Ramirez as Manny

Danny Ramirez, from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Top Gun: Maverick, portrays Manny Alvarez, a member of the Washington Liberation Front and former Firefly. A close friend of Abby, Manny is considered one of the WLF's best soldiers.

"A loyal soldier whose sunny outlook belies the pain of old wounds and a fear of failing his friends when they need him most," reads HBO's official description of Manny.

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

Ariela Barer as Mel

Ariela Barer, known from Runaways, takes on the role of Mel, a medic in the Washington Liberation Front and former Firefly. She is a friend of Abby and romantically involved with Owen.

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

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

Tati Gabrielle as Nora

Tati Gabrielle, recognized from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, plays Nora in Season 2. Nora is part of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former medic who worked with Dr. Jerry Anderson.

"A military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past," is how HBO describes Nora.

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

Spencer Lord as Owen

Spencer Lord, seen in Family Law, Heartland, and The Good Doctor, plays Owen, a member of the 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former Firefly turned WLF soldier. He is currently dating Mel but has a past relationship with Abby.

"A gentle soul trapped in a warrior's body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate," HBO's 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 unveiled six additional actors for Season 2, three of whom will expand on minor characters from the games, while the others are entirely new creations. 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.

Pantoliano's Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from The Last of Us Part 2, will have an expanded role. "I get excited when I see these opportunities," said showrunner Neil Druckmann. "The story we told in the game was somewhat superficial. This time, Eugene's character really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie's relationship."

Burke will portray Seth, the bar owner and bigot from the game, while Lamanna steps into the role of Kat, Ellie's former girlfriend.

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 the 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 returns as Joel, last seen on a violent mission to save Ellie from the Fireflies. Despite Marlene's explanation that Ellie's potential as a cure would require her death, Joel chose to rescue her and lied about the Fireflies' failure to develop a cure. His final scene with Ellie, where he swore his deception was true, left her with an uneasy acceptance.

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

Bella Ramsey as Ellie

Bella Ramsey reprises her role as Ellie, who was last seen unconscious and unaware of Joel's deadly rescue mission. Joel's lie about the Fireflies' failed attempts to find a cure and his concealment of the bloodshed will be a focal point in Season 2, exploring its impact on their relationship.

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

Gabriel Luna as Tommy

Gabriel Luna returns 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 initially agreed to take Ellie to the Fireflies but was left behind when Joel decided to continue the journey himself.

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

Rutina Wesley as Maria

Rutina Wesley's Maria, a leader in the Jackson community and Tommy's wife, returns in Season 2. Last seen cutting Ellie's hair and advising caution, her role in the upcoming season remains highly 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 final episode of Season 1, so she won't appear in the present timeline of Season 2. However, her presence in flashbacks from The Last of Us Part 2 suggests she may appear in a similar manner in the new season.

Anna Torv as Tess

Anna Torv's Tess, a smuggler and close friend of Joel, was last seen sacrificing herself after a Clicker bite. Although she didn't appear in The Last of Us Part 2, flashbacks could provide further insight into her and Joel's past.

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

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely...

The episode featuring Nick Offerman's Bill and Murray Bartlett's Frank was a standout in Season 1, earning a rare 10/10 from us. "Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett deliver elegant performances, leaving a beautiful mark on the show as we see a side of humanity worth fighting for," wrote IGN's Simon Cardy.

Despite hopes for their return in flashbacks or even a potential spin-off prequel series, as mentioned by Offerman, series 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. "Nick was joking about a prequel. We are very happy with what we achieved."

For more insights, explore our breakdown of the Season 1 ending, predictions for Season 2, and discussions 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).