The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?

The eagerly awaited second season of *The Last of Us* is scheduled to premiere on April 13, 2025, introducing new characters while bringing back beloved favorites. Like the first season, it will feature major characters from the games, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, and introduce intriguing new figures like Catherine O'Hara's Gail. This guide is here to help you get acquainted with the cast members you need to know before Joel and Ellie's journey continues in this compelling post-apocalyptic world.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?

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The Last of Us TV Show Season 2 New Cast

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

The biggest question surrounding Season 2 of The Last of Us was who would play Abby. HBO answered this when they revealed that Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Justified, will portray her. Abby, a pivotal character in The Last of Us Part 2, is a skilled soldier whose black-and-white worldview is challenged as she seeks vengeance. "Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material," said series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. "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."

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

Young Mazino as Jesse

Young Mazino, star of Beef, joins Season 2 as Jesse, a community pillar who prioritizes others' needs, sometimes at a great personal cost. Jesse, introduced in The Last of Us Part 2, is a patrol leader in Jackson, Wyoming, and a friend and ex-boyfriend of Ellie. "Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him," Mazin and Druckmann stated. "We’re so lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for the audience to see Young shine in our show."

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

Isabella Merced as Dina

Isabella Merced, known for Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Transformers: The Last Knight, takes on the role of Dina, Ellie's partner and a key figure in Jackson. Her relationship with Ellie evolves significantly throughout the game. "Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous, and instantly lovable," said Mazin and Druckmann. "You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, 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 Gail is a new character created for the series, potentially serving as Joel's therapist and aiding him in dealing with the repercussions of his Season 1 decision.

Jeffrey Wright as Isaac

Fans will be pleased to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Isaac, the ruthless leader of the Washington Liberation Front from The Last of Us Part 2. His character plays a crucial role in the game's events, and we anticipate the same for Season 2.

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

Danny Ramirez as Manny

Danny Ramirez, known from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Top Gun: Maverick, plays Manny Alvarez, a Washington Liberation Front soldier and former Firefly, and a friend of Abby. "A loyal soldier whose sunny outlook belies the pain of old wounds and a fear that he will fail his friends when they need him most," describes HBO's official synopsis.

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

Ariela Barer as Mel

Ariela Barer from Runaways plays Mel, a medic in the Washington Liberation Front and a former Firefly. She is a friend of Abby and in a romantic relationship with Owen. "A young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism," reads HBO's official description.

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

Tati Gabrielle as Nora

Tati Gabrielle, known from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Uncharted, takes on the role of Nora, a member of Abby's 'Salt Lake Crew' and a former medic. "A military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past," according to HBO's description.

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, another member of the 'Salt Lake Crew', a former Firefly, and currently dating Mel. "A gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate," states HBO's description.

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 announced six more actors for Season 2, including Joe Pantoliano, Robert John Burke, and Noah Lamanna, who will portray characters from the games with expanded roles. Pantoliano plays Eugene, Dina's pot-smoking friend from The Last of Us Part 2, who will have a more significant presence. "I get excited when I see these opportunities," said showrunner Neil Druckmann. "I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t know Eugene that well!’ The story we told [in the game] was somewhat superficial. The way this character comes in really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie and their relationship."

Burke plays Seth, the bar owner from The Last of Us Part 2, and Lamanna portrays Kat, who dated Ellie before the game's events.

Image Credits: John Pantoliano (Theo Wargo/Getty Images), Robert John Burke (Jim Spellman/FilmMagic), and Noah Lamanna (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO)

Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan, Ben Ahlers as Burton, and Hettienne Park as Elise Park

Alanna Ubach, Ben Ahlers, and Hettienne Park join the cast as 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, who ended Season 1 by saving Ellie from the Fireflies, choosing her life over the potential cure for the cordyceps infection. His decision led to a lie to Ellie about the Fireflies' failure, leaving their relationship on uncertain ground.

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 grappling with Joel's lie about the Fireflies. Unaware of the true events at the hospital, Ellie's trust in Joel is tested, setting the stage for their evolving relationship in Season 2.

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 and a significant figure in The Last of Us Part 2. Last seen in Jackson with his wife, Maria, Tommy's role in Joel and Ellie's journey is poised to expand.

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

Rutina Wesley as Maria

Rutina Wesley's Maria, a leader in Jackson and Tommy's wife, returns for Season 2. Her last interaction with Ellie, advising caution about trust, hints at her continued influence on the story.

Will Marlene or Tess Appear in Season 2 of The Last of Us?

Merle Dandridge as Marlene

Merle Dandridge's Marlene, killed by Joel in Season 1, won't appear in Season 2's present timeline. However, given her role in The Last of Us Part 2 flashbacks, she may appear in similar scenes.

Anna Torv as Tess

Anna Torv's Tess, who sacrificed herself to save Joel and Ellie after being bitten, won't return in the present. However, flashbacks exploring her life with Joel could provide more depth to their story.

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

It doesn't seem likely...

The episode focusing on 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 take on leading role duties with elegance, leaving an unmistakably beautiful mark on the show as we’re shown a side of humanity that makes what Joel and Ellie are fighting for worth saving," wrote IGN's Simon Cardy. "It’s an episode, just like love, that lives long in the memory after experiencing it."

Though their story concluded, there was hope for more through flashbacks. Offerman mentioned ideas for a potential spin-off prequel, but Mazin clarified, "I’m very proud of the episode we did with Bill and Frank. There won’t be more Bill and Frank. Nick was joking about a prequel, that was kind of a joke. We are very happy with what we achieved."

For more insights, check out our breakdown of the Season 1 ending, predictions for Season 2, and thoughts from The Last of Us creators on Joel's decision to save Ellie.

Note: This story was updated on April 8, 2025, to add Catherine O'Hara (Gail) and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac).