Summary
- Casting Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Dixon in The Last of Us season 2 hints at Abby's storyline significance.
- HBO's adaptation will challenge viewers to empathize with Abby, a controversial character.
- Expect Jeffrey Wright to bring complexity to Isaac, one of the most compelling antagonists in The Last of Us series.
An exciting casting announcement has been made for The Last of Us season 2, indicating how significant the Abby storyline from the game will be. The first season of HBO's award-winning video game adaptation was a smash success, earning praise from lovers of the game and broad television audiences alike. Audiences will be kept waiting until 2025 for the highly-anticipated second season, leaving plenty of time to speculate on potential game story changes. A recent announcement saw Westworld and The Batman star Jeffrey Wright added to The Last of Us season 2 cast as Isaac Dixon.
Jeffrey Wright is regarded as one of Hollywood's most celebrated character actors, recently earning an Academy Award nomination for his leading role in American Fiction. He's done work on independent movies, television series, and even video games, having voiced the character Isaac in The Last of Us Part II. The announcement that he'd be reprising the role in live-action is incredibly exciting, adding prestige talent and hinting at increased attention toward Abby's narrative. After The Last of Us season 1's climactic ending, much of season 2 will ride on the appeal of its new characters.
|
The Last Of Us Season 2 New Cast Members |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Kaitlyn Dever |
Abby Anderson |
|
Jeffrey Wright |
Isaac Dixon |
|
Catherine O'Hara |
Unknown |
|
Spencer Lord |
Owen |
|
Young Mazino |
Jesse |
|
Isabela Merced |
Dina |
|
Danny Ramirez |
Manny |
|
Ariela Barer |
Mel |
|
Tati Gabrielle |
Nora |
Issac's Role In The Last Of Us Season 2 Hints At Abby's Involvement
Casting A Well-Known Actor Like Jeffrey Wright Means Abby's Story Will Be A Significant Part Of Season 2
In The Last of Us Part II, Isaac Dixon is the leader of the Washington Liberation Front, a militia that takes control of Seattle's quarantine zone. In the game, Isaac is known as a ruthless leader who becomes one of Abby's main protagonists. After Joel's brutal take-down of the medical facility in the first game (TLOU season 1 finale), Abby and a small group of Fireflies members band together and join Isaac and the WLF. With a big-name actor like Jeffrey Wright playing Isaac, it seems likely that HBO will hone in on Abby's story in season 2.
HBO won't shy away from the risk of challenging TV audiences to feel for Joel's murderer
Abby is a controversial character, as she kills Joel in one of The Last of Us Part II's biggest moments. Thereafter, the sequel game largely becomes about her relationship with Ellie, exploring themes of revenge and retribution. Despite being thematically rich, it's a dark story that saw the franchise's lead protagonist killed rather quickly and unexpectedly, leading to divisiveness. The TV series is preparing Abby as one of its central characters, showing HBO won't shy away from the risk of challenging TV audiences to feel for Joel's murderer.
What To Expect From Isaac In The Last Of Us Season 2
Isaac Is One Of Most Compelling Antagonists In The Last Of Us
Much like Marlene in season 1, Jeffrey Wright reprising his game role means The Last of Us fans will be rewarded with the closest adaptation to Isaac's video game iteration possible. In terms of performance, it will be fascinating to see Wright take on a villain role, as his most popular characters have been typically likable. Isaac is a cruel but complex antagonist who, much like many of the characters in The Last of Us season 1, is doing what he feels he has to do to survive.
