Film news: What to expect from ‘The Last of Us’ season two

The Last of Us season two is set to explore Joel and Ellie’s journey further whilst elaborating on its fictional post-apocalyptic society.

With returning actors and fresh-faces set to endure this season’s chaotic events, season two will no doubt be just as mind-blowing and heart-wrenching as the HBO distributed series’ first outing.

Film News Blitz’s Ellie Jackson takes you through a deep dive on comments made by this season’s lively cast on the tumultuous events we can expect.

Pedro Pascal is set to reprise his role as Joel

Pedro Pascal forges a stoicism and complexity to Joel’s video game to on-screen adaptation.

Per Screenrant, Pascal has provided us with further insight on his return this season.

He said, “Filming is going amazing. It's sort of awe-inspiring the kind of focus and dedication that everyone has going into season two.”

“It's incredible to be back home with them”

This is a testament to the feeling of belonging and the profound connection he has with the cast and crew.

Pascal’s Joel is set to face tough challenges in his relationship with Ellie, with a level of turbulence to dramatize the season’s heart-aching moments even more.

Bella Ramsey commented on Ellie’s emotional journey 

Ramsey’s Ellie elicits a fierceness to her complexity, whose character arc this season will be even more emotionally challenging than it was in the first season.

She reflected on her role this season, saying, “Ellie's journey will be emotionally intense, dealing with significant, unprocessed feelings that surface in troubling ways,” speaking with Vulture. 

This season is also set to explore the relationship between Ellie and Dina, the latter being a key cog in the story and one that fans of the video games will be well aware of.

Kaitlyn Dever arrives as the tough, but admirable Abby

Arguably, the most important casting and role in the show, and story.

Although fans of the game have questioned her casting due to Dever not sporting the muscular physique that Abby does, Dever’s acting ability and talent cannot be in question.

With roles in films such as A Beautiful Boy and Netflix short series, Unbelievable, we know her acting chops and ingratiating herself into the characters she portrays is up to standard.

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Abby, a soldier on the path of vengeance in the games, whose on-screen adaptation will be intriguing to say the least, as there is certainly a dark psychology that goes along with her character development in the story.

Dever spoke to The Hollywood Reporter at the show’s Los Angeles premiere in March, saying,

“I didn’t even audition. It was only just like meetings I was having with [creator] Neil [Druckmann].

I was going to [Druckmann’s video game company] Naughty Dog and he was showing me how the game was created and definitely giving me spoilers for game II years before it came out.”

“I had those few months where I was talking to Neil about potentially playing Ellie, but then, as moviemaking goes, that went away for a while.”

She commented on the showrunners taking the series in the direction they did with Pascal and Ramsey, saying,

“I was really excited to see it as a show and Bella did such an amazing job and the two of them, Bella and Pedro, do something so magical in the first season that I was honestly just a fan.”

“So when it came back around into my life with the role of Abby, it almost felt like, ‘Oh, this was always meant to be in my life, just in a different way,’ and that felt really cool.”

Dever is certainly likely to be a head-turner in her role as Abby, as with Abby comes a level allure, tragedy and aura pertaining to the internal and external composition of her character.

Tommy will have a more impactful role this season

Gabriel Luna, who portrays Joel brother’s Tommy, offered his thoughts on his and the other side characters being shown more love this season.

“There's an expanded role for Tommy and there's just an expanded world for the show,” Luna told Screenrant. 

The show will expand on the emotional depth of its character’s struggles this season, allowing for fresh perspectives from fans on their beloved characters.

Catherine O’Hara joins the earnest cast

O’Hara will portray a therapist who helps survivors cope with the trauma that persists in the new world. 

She feels that the complexity of her character is what appealed to her most upon learning more about her role.

“I play a therapist dealing with post-apocalyptic trauma, which is a fascinating character to portray,” revealed O’Hara to Vanity Fair.

Her addition to the cast will add another layer of psychological depth to the story.

In a world filled with constant danger and loss, season two will highlight the catastrophic consequences of the way society is constructed in the series’ dystopian reality. 

Isabela Merced’s Dina is introduced

Merced, who plays Dina, a character from The Last of Us Part II, discussed her role in the new season, particularly as it pertains to her relationship with Ellie.

Merced revealed that fans can expect Dina to have a more prominent role beyond her initial introduction.

“I think it's safe to say Dina is not the ‘Staring Girl’ from season one,” Merced told EW.

Merced was thrilled to shine a light on Dina’s relationship with Ellie and how their bond will constitute a greater detailed exploration. 

The legacy continues

The Last of Us season two will continue to build upon the legacy of its first season, and video games prior.

The new season promises even more heart-wrenching moments, emotional complexity, and thrilling adventures.

With such a talented cast and a captivating storyline to top it all off, viewers are sure to be on the edge of their seats as they prepare to witness the next chapter unfold.

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