Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Last of Us Part IICatherine O'Hara was previously confirmed as part of the cast of The Last of Us season 2, and a new trailer finally revealed who her character is. The cast of The Last of Us season 2 was already packed with talented actors, and Catherine O'Hara only adds to its quality. O'Hara is mostly known for her work in comedies like Beetlejuice and Schitt's Creek, but she has also displayed her dramatic acting skills in various roles. O'Hara seems like a perfect fit for The Last of Us, but until now, audiences didn't know who she would be playing.
Ever since O'Hara was first confirmed to appear in The Last of Us season 2, there has been speculation over which character she would play. The Last of Us season 2 will begin adapting the second game in the series, The Last of Us Part II. The problem is that there aren't many characters from the second game that O'Hara seemed like a good fit for, which caused fans to speculate that she was a character cut from the game, a gender-swapped existing character, and more. Thanks to a new trailer, however, The Last of Us confirmed that O'Hara is playing an entirely new character.
Catherine O'Hara Appears To Be Playing Joel's Therapist In The Last Of Us Season 2
The new trailer for The Last of Us season 2 finally revealed who Catherine O'Hara's character is in the upcoming season. It seems that O'Hara is playing Joel's therapist at Jackson. She could be heard asking Joel to share more about his past, presumably his decision to save Ellie at the end of The Last of Us season 1, and telling him to "say the thing you're afraid to say." O'Hara's character, who is as of yet unnamed, also seems to be a somewhat unusual therapist, as she took a very casual approach to the beginning of her session with Joel.
Was Catherine O'Hara's Therapist In The Last Of Us Video Games?
It also seems that Catherine O'Hara's therapist is a new creation for The Last of Us show. The games never showed Joel seeking mental help from a therapist, so O'Hara's character doesn't have a virtual counterpart. However, that doesn't mean the therapist is completely breaking from the established story of The Last of Us Part II. There were several years between Joel and Ellie returning to Jackson and Joel's death, and he could easily have seen a therapist without Ellie knowing. Even though O'Hara's therapist character doesn't necessarily contradict the games' story, she'll still introduce some new elements to The Last of Us season 2.
What Catherine O'Hara's New Character Could Mean For Joel's Story In The Last Of Us Season 2
Catherine O'Hara's therapist character could be a sign that Joel's story from The Last of Us Part II will be changed in a few significant ways. In The Last of Us Part II, Ellie only finds the truth about Joel's massacre of the Fireflies by sneaking back to the hospital, finding a recording of a Firefly, and forcing Joel to tell her what happened. If Joel was in therapy trying to find a way to tell Ellie about his decision, though, it could be evidence that The Last of Us season 2 will take a different approach to Ellie finding the truth.
The Last of Us season 2 will premiere sometime in 2025 on Max.
It's possible that The Last of Us season 2 could show Joel telling Ellie what happened on his own after working with his therapist. That wouldn't help change the fact that he chose Ellie's fate for her, but it would take away some of the deception he carried out for years after the fact. Even if the show doesn't change how Ellie learns about the massacre in Salt Lake City, O'Hara's character indicates that The Last of Us season 2 will focus more on Joel's guilt and internal thoughts than the game did.
Just by nature of having a new therapist character, it seems that The Last of Us season 2 is going to put a lot of emphasis on Joel working through the massacre and lying to Ellie. The fact that his therapist is played by Catherine O'Hara, a famous actor, makes it seem even more likely that Joel's therapy sessions will play a major role in the show. That also fits with The Last of Us' four-season plan, as expanding Joel's story prior to his death would help fill the additional seasons of the show and spread out the game's story.
Catherine O'Hara's character in The Last of Us season 2 could be a major benefit to the show.
Aside from expanding Joel's story and examining his guilt more closely, it doesn't seem like O'Hara's therapist character will be a major deviation from The Last of Us Part II. The game only briefly reviewed Joel and Ellie's time at Jackson, mostly through flashbacks, and there's plenty of room for a new character to be introduced. The addition also seems like a positive decision for the show, as it will give viewers more time with Joel, and make his eventual death even more heart-wrenching. Catherine O'Hara's character in The Last of Us season 2 could be a major benefit to the show.
