Luna and Wesley spoke with ScreenRant about the addition of Tommy and Maria's son, ahead of The Last of Us season 2's April 13 premiere on HBO and Max. The actors explained how parenthood would lead to changes in their dynamics, with Maria being surprised about her ability to still be a mother after the apocalypse has taken so much from her. For Tommy, Luna teases a "fun-loving" version of him that is juggling fatherhood, leadership, and being a good husband:
Rutina Wesley: I'm excited for fans to see the two of them as parents and how they are with their child, and see how it brings them closer together. Also, the most important, I think, is to see how Maria is softer in a very motherly way. I think it surprises Maria, even herself, because I think she thought she couldn't do that anymore, and now she's doing it. And I think just how we are, it's kind of cool, how the family is, the dynamic, right?
Gabriel Luna: Yeah. Our relationship as people has grown. Right off the bat, we were pretty simpatico. It felt good. I've grown to love her so much, so I'm excited to see all that translated to the screen. And yeah, the arrival of Benjamin, and the five year old that is too big to be carried. Too big.
I don't know why I hand him off to you like I do in that first scene. I'm probably like, "I shouldn't have picked him up. Here. Take him." [laughs]
Rutina Wesley: My back! [laughs]
Gabriel Luna: But yeah, we are five years older. I'm excited to see how people see fun-loving Tommy accept these responsibilities of fatherhood, and of leadership, and of being a husband and trying to be the best version of all those things.
Luna also expanded on Tommy's biggest changes now that he has a son, explaining the hope Benjamin represents for him. The faith his son gives him also makes him more receptive to making amends with Joel (Pedro Pascal), focusing on the bond between the community members. Check out what Luna had to say below:
Gabriel Luna: That's exactly it. What I love about it, is really a lot of what Benjamin represents in terms of hope, in terms of longevity and survival for the sake of the future of everyone that's behind us, following us. I also love what he represents for us as this small family of Maria, Tommy, Joel, Ellie and Benjamin, and how he is the one that brings Joel and Maria closer together, knowing that that is the uncle of our son, our blood, also -- and getting closer with Joel, and having our relationship be mended in the way it has in these five years, how I'm now gifted with the experience of Ellie and what it would have been like to be cool Uncle Tommy to Sarah, who we lost. So that has all sparked from us creating an environment safe enough and strong enough for the fruit of our love to be born, you know. I love that. I'm excited for people to see that.
What Luna & Wesley's Statements Mean For Tommy & Maria
The Last Of Us Season 2 Marks Big Changes For The Pair
Tommy and Maria are going to be major characters in The Last of Us season 2, as the duo are still helping to maintain the Jackson community in leadership roles. The couple are also no stranger to loss either, the pair having a small memorial chalkboard dedicated to Joel's daughter, Sarah (Nico Parker), and Maria's son, Kevin. Both of them died in the first days of the Cordyceps outbreak, but it seemed like the couple were still ready to have a child together in season 1, enough time having passed.
The actor's statements indicate Benjamin will change both of them for the better, offering a new, parental dynamic that goes unseen in the games. It's evident their son is going to alter their stories in important ways, especially when it comes to how tightly-knit their community is going to be. It's unclear if this change to The Last of Us games will go further in altering Tommy's story in particular, given his important role in the second installment. It could even add context to his future decisions as his fatherhood is explored.
Our Take On Tommy & Maria's Parenthood In The Last Of Us Season 2
The Pair's Big Change Signals A Deeper Storyline
