Who’s in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 cast? Meet the new and returning stars

Season 2 of “The Last of Us” will continue telling Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) story, but viewers will also meet some new characters.

Just as season 1 of “The Last of Us” was based on the 2013 video game of the same name, season 2 is an adaptation of the game’s sequel, “The Last of Us Part II.” Therefore, fans of the game series already have strong opinions about the new season 2 characters.

Isabela Merced, who will join the season 2 cast as Ellie’s love interest Dina, said during an August 2024 appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that fellow newcomer Kaitlyn Dever needed extra security on set due to public perception of her character, Abby.

Merced had a message for the “strange people” who “genuinely hate” Dever’s character: “Just a reminder, [she’s] not a real person.”

Merced also praised Dever’s performance as Abby, a soldier out for revenge.

“Give her the damn Emmy, honesty,” Merced gushed. “I’m so excited for people to see how incredibly well Bella and Kaitlyn did on this.”

Keep scrolling to see all the new and returning cast members for “The Last of Us” season 2:

Who are the new cast members on ‘The Last of Us’ season 2?

Throughout season 2′s seven episodes, fans will meet many new characters, some with surprise roles we won’t know until the show airs.

Jeffrey Wright, Isaac

Wright will portray Isaac after previously voicing him in “The Last of Us Part II” video game.

Kaitlyn Dever, Abby

Dever will portray Abby, a polarizing figure in “The Last of Us” game’s fandom. The video game character is more muscular than Dever, a difference that “The Last of Us” showrunners, directors, and creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann addressed in a joint statement earlier this month.

“Our casting process for season 2 has been identical to season 1: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material,” the creative duo said. “Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella, and the rest of our family.”

Young Mazino, Jesse

The “Beef” actor will play Jesse, a young man who puts the needs of his community above his own.

“Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him,” Mazin and Druckmann said in a statement. “We’re so lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for the audience to see Young shine in our show.”

Isabela Merced, Dina

Merced plays Dina, who is Jesse’s ex and Ellie’s new love interest.

“Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous and instantly lovable,” Mazin and Druckmann said in a January statement. “You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away. We couldn’t be prouder to have her join our family.”

Catherine O’Hara, unknown role

O’Hara will join the season 2 cast in an undisclosed role. She appears in the trailer, asking Joel, “Well, you wanna start or what?”

Some fans have theorized that O’Hara plays Joel’s therapist.

Danny Ramirez, Manny

Ramirez portrays Manny, a loyal soldier with a fear of failing those he cares about.

Ariela Barer, Mel

Barer plays a young doctor committed to saving lives in a post-apocalyptic world.

Tati Gabrielle, Nora

Like Mel, Nora is in the medical profession. She’s a medic with some skeletons in her closet.

Spencer Lord, Owen

Lord plays Owen, a reluctant warrior and Abby’s ex.

Who is returning to ‘The Last of Us’ season 2?

Pascal and Ramsey will reprise their respective roles as Joel and Ellie.

Other season 1 alums Gabriel Luna and Rutina Wesley, who play Joel’s brother Tommy and Tommy’s wife Maria, will also appear in one season 2 episode.