HBO’sThe Last of Ushasfresh additions to the cast of its second season, including a number of actors audiences might recognize from other projects. Based on one of thebest video games of all time,The Last of Usseason 1 was a critical and commercial success for HBO, merging star power, familiar IP, and prestige television. The second season’s story is, of course, based onThe Last of Us Part II, the 2020 video game known for its divisive narrative following up the beloved classic.

Despite over two years between seasons,The Last of Usseason 2’s storywill involvemultiple actors from the first nine episodes returning to their roles, including Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as the show’s leads. Aside from them, the second game expands the world with more prominent characters, meaning several new additions were made to the cast, including some of the year’s most exciting rising stars appearing in films likeSuperman,Captain America: Brave New World, and A24’sOpus.

Imagery from Joel in The Last of Us season 2

Joe Pantoliano

Date of Birth: July 20, 2025

Actor:Pedro Pascal is aChilean and American actor who had his big break playing the dazzling Dornish prince Oberyn Martell inGame of Thronesseason 4and DEA agent Javier Peña inNarcos.His stardom has since grown through roles in major franchises, playing the titular protagonist inThe Mandalorian, as well as a prominent role in films likeGladiator IIandWonder Woman 1984. 2025 is set to be his biggest year yet, with him playing the lead in Marvel’sThe Fantastic Four. He’ll then return for the subsequentAvengersmovies in 2026 and 2027.

Gladiator II

Marcus Acacius

Character:Joel Miller is a smuggler turned adoptive father who resides in Jackson with Ellie. Following the events ofThe Last of Usseason 1’s ending, he finds himself with a strained relationship with her.

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Date of Birth: September 2003

Actor:Bella Ramsey is aBritish actor whose rise to prominence came from a recurring role in the final three seasons of HBO’sGame of Thrones, where they played Lyanna Mormont. Their character was defined by being an outspoken young woman in a patriarchal society governed by older men, making them an encouraging supporting protagonist. Since then, they’ve appeared in notable movies likeJudyand a number of TV shows, includingHis Dark MaterialsandTime.

Judy

Lorna Luft

Character:Ellie is Joel’s adoptive daughter who’s settled down with him in Jackson after their near-cross-country trip in season 1, which has forced her to reckon with the experiences of their journey.

Date of Birth: August 16, 2025

Actor:Gabriel Luna is an American actor who’sbest known for playing Ghost Rider in the Marvel TV seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.With two decades of experience working in film and television, Luna has accumulated credits in numerous prominent tiles, includingTerminator: Dark Fate, Prison Break, Secret Level, True Detective, Love, Death & Robots,andFUBAR. He’s currently working on season 2 ofThe Terminal List, where he’ll star alongside Chris Pratt.

True Detective

Miguel Gilb

Character:Tommy Miller is Joel’s brother, whowas a former member of the Firefliesand now runs a commune with his wife.

Date of Birth: Jul 20, 2025

Actor:Kaitlyn Dever is possibly the most exciting addition toThe Last of Usseason 2’s cast, as she’s become one of Hollywood’s most exciting young stars in recent years. Dever is anAmerican actress regarded for her Golden Globe-nominated roles in the miniseriesDopesickandUnbelievable.She’s also starred in blockbuster movies like the screen adaptation ofDear Evan Hansen,Beautiful Boy,and Kathryn Bigelow’sDetroit. In 2025, she’s also set to star in a miniseries calledApple Cider Vinegar, on which she’s also a producer, and she’ll be in thenextGodzillamovie in 2027.

Dear Evan Hansen

Zoe Murphy

Character:Abby is an experienced soldier looking for vengeance after the death of a loved one.

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Date of Birth: August 21, 2025

Actor:Isabela Merced is an actress from Colombus, Ohio, who made her Broadway debut at age 10 in a production ofEvita.Merded’s big break came with the role of CJ Martin in the Nickelodeon series100 Things to Do Before High School. Her career in film sparked after playing Dora the Explorer in the live-actionDora and the Lost City of Gold, and she’s since appeared in prominent films likeAlien: RomulusandMadame Web. In 2025, she’ll also play the superhero Hawkgirl in James Gunn’sSuperman.

Dora and the Lost City of Gold

The Last Of Us Bill and Frank Episode Was Heartbreaking I’m Still Haunted By Another Death

Alien: Romulus

Kay

Character:Dina is a supporting protagonist inThe Last of Usseason 2 and one of the civilians of the Jackson commune. Prior to the season, she was dating Jesse.

Date of Birth: August 01, 2025

Actor:Young Mazino is an American actor from Maryland whohad his breakout in the hit Netflix anthology seriesBeef, for which he was nominated for an Emmy. Mazino’s career has just begun to flourish in recent years, with a role in A24’sOpusearlier in 2025. BeforeBeef, his career was composed solely of guest roles on TV shows, includingBlue Bloods,New Amsterdam, andProdigal Son.

Opus

Kent

Character:Jesse is another supporting protagonist inThe Last of Usseason 2 and one of the survivors living in Jackson.

The Last Of Us Season 2 Supporting Cast & Characters

Rutina Wesley as Maria:Rutina Wesley returns to the cast from season 1, and the American actress is best known for playing Tara in HBO’sTrue Blood.

Danny Ramirez as Manny:Danny Ramirez is an American actor who’s found major success with blockbuster hits, including his role as Joaquin Torres/Falcon in the MCU and his supporting role inTop Gun: Maverick.

Bella Ramsey as Ellie aiming a gun and Ashley Johnson as Anna holding onto a tree in The Last of Us

Ariela Barer as Mel:Ariela Barer is an actress who can be recognized from Hulu’s seriesRunaways, based on the team from Marvel Comics.

Tati Gabrielle as Nora:Tati Gabrielle is an actress known for roles in various movies and TV shows, includingThe 100,Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and theUnchartedmovie adaptation.

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Spencer Lord as Owen:Spencer Lord is a young actor whose most recognizable roles so far have been guest performances inRiverdaleandThe Good Doctor.

Gabriel Luna as Tommy looking to the side next to Bella Ramsey looking shocked in The Last of Us

Catherine O’Hara as Gail:Catherine O’Hara is an actress and comedian known for roles in movies and shows likeSchitt’s Creek,Home Alone, andBeetlejuice.

Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Dixon:Jeffrey Wright is an American actor renowned for his performances in titles likeWestworld,The Batman,Catching Fire, and many more. He’s an award-winning star whoalso played Isaac inThe Last of Us Part IIvideo game.

Ellie wanders through an abandoned building with a gun in The Last Of Us season 2

Joe Pantoliano as Eugene:Joe Pantoliano is an American actor who’s been in some of the best movies and shows ever made, fromThe SopranostoThe Matrixto Christopher Nolan’sMemento.