Okay Last of Us fanatics get hyped because Season 2 is shaping up to be something truly special and maybe even more intense than the first. HBO just dropped some major casting news and fresh images and we are here to break it all down for you. Get ready to dive back into that heartbreaking beautiful and terrifying world because things are about to get real.
New Faces Alert! Joe Pantoliano (aka Cypher from The Matrix!) Leads New Cast Additions for The Last of Us Season 2
The cast of The Last of Us Season 2 is getting seriously stacked. Six new actors are joining the party and get this Joe Pantoliano yes THAT Joe Pantoliano from The Matrix and Bad Boys movies is one of them. He will be playing a character named Eugene. If you are a game player you might remember Eugene was briefly mentioned in The Last of Us Part II. He was the guy who had that cannabis grow-op Dina and Ellie stumble upon.
But here is the cool part the show is going to expand Eugene's role in a big way kind of like how they blew us all away with that Bill and Frank episode in Season 1. Remember that tearjerker? Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann said they saw a chance to explore Eugene more and really dig into his story. They hinted that Eugene's expanded storyline will tie into Joel and Ellie's relationship. Intriguing right?
But Joe Pantoliano is not the only newbie. We are also getting Alanna Ubach from Euphoria Ben Ahlers from The Gilded Age Hettienne Park who was in Hannibal Robert John Burke from Law & Order: SVU and Noah Lamanna from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Alanna Ubach will play a character named Hanrahan Ben Ahlers is Burton and Hettienne Park will be Elise. Robert John Burke will be Seth who runs a bar in Jackson where Joel and Ellie are living and Noah Lamanna will play Kat who is apparently an ex of Ellie's from before all the craziness started. So expect some new dynamics to shake things up.
More Season 2 Sneak Peeks: New Images and Episode Details Emerge to Fuel the Hype
To add even more fuel to the fire HBO also released a bunch of fresh images from Season 2. While they are keeping things pretty mysterious (no major spoilers here don't worry) we do get some glimpses of Joel and Ellie back in action along with some of the new characters like Abby and Dina. The images definitely capture that gritty intense vibe we expect from The Last of Us world.
And while we are talking details we learned that Season 2 will have seven episodes. That is two fewer than Season 1. But don't freak out because show creator Craig Mazin promises these episodes are packed. He said "You can have a light dinner or you can go to a 12-course French restaurant. We have seven episodes. They are high-calorie dense episodes. If you consider action and drama and scope to be the thing that creates an epic nature each one of these episodes packs quite a wallop. You will not be bored.” Sounds like quality over quantity is the name of the game and we are here for it.
The Last of Us Universe: Four Seasons and Beyond? HBO Execs Hint at Long-Term Plans
Good news for fans who are already dreading the end of Season 2. It sounds like The Last of Us story might go on for a while. HBO executive Francesca Orsi hinted that they are thinking about a four-season plan for the whole series. She said “We don’t have a complete or final plan but I think it’s looking like four seasons. I wouldn’t want to confirm that but it’s looking like this season and then two more seasons after this and we’re done.”
Of course nothing is set in stone yet but the fact that HBO is already thinking beyond Season 2 is definitely encouraging. It shows they are committed to telling the full Last of Us story and are planning for the long haul. So even though Season 2 is just around the corner it might be just the beginning of a longer journey.
Mark Your Calendars: The Last of Us Season 2 Premiere is Almost Here!
The wait is almost over! The Last of Us Season 2 is officially premiering on April 13th. Get ready to clear your schedules stock up on snacks and prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. With a fantastic returning cast exciting new additions intense storylines and those signature heartbreaking moments Season 2 is shaping up to be unmissable. Will it live up to the hype of Season 1? Signs point to yes. Are you ready to return to the world of The Last of Us? We definitely are!
The Last of Us Season 2: New Cast Members Quick List
- Joe Pantoliano: Eugene (expanded role from the game)
- Alanna Ubach: Hanrahan (original character)
- Ben Ahlers: Burton (original character)
- Hettienne Park: Elise Park (original character)
- Robert John Burke: Seth (game character bar owner in Jackson)
- Noah Lamanna: Kat (original character Ellie's ex)