After being the cause of a months-long delay of filming, series lead, Pedro Pascal, just shared an enthusiastic update about The Last of Us Season 2’s production.
After the success of Season 1, HBO confirmed the continuation of the series across at least two or possibly even more seasons, with filming of the next season set to occupy most of the year ahead of its anticipated return next year.
As the cameras roll, Pascal expressed his admiration for the dedication and focus even in the early stages of filming, particularly highlighting the contributions of co-star Bella Ramsey and showrunner Craig Mazin.
After winning Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series at the 2024 SAG Awards over the weekend, Pascal shared with Deadline about what’s coming in Season 2 of The Last of Us. He particularly noted the exceptional efforts of the crew and the fresh approach to his character in the new season. The cast for Season 2 will see familiar faces along a handful of new additions such as Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, Isabela Merced, and Catherina O’Hara, promising a diverse and dynamic narrative.
Pascal’s reflections on returning to Joel’s character convey a sense of renewal and deep engagement with the role. Although most fans joke that the only reason why Pascal can share so much about his role is because he’s finished filming his parts.
It’s worth noting that a turning point in the story of The Last of Us Part 2, which serves as the basis of the next two seasons of The Last of Us on HBO, is the death Pascal’s character, Joel Miller.
Of course, The Last of Us has taken certain creative liberties with the source material. It wouldn’t be the worst idea to tinker with the controversial death of Pascal’s character, perhaps in an effort to mitigate the potential backlash.
Regardless of the direction The Last of Us will take in its second season, its success has been widely recognized as the series and Pascal’s performance has numerous accolades. His win at the SAG Awards, in particular, was dedicated to the entire production team.
The Last of Us Season 2 promises to delve deeper into Joel’s relationship with Ellie in the years following the events of Season 1, exploring the consequences of their actions and the evolving challenges they face.
As filming progresses, the anticipation is building for The Last of Us’ return and how the showrunners will tackle one of the most controversial narratives in gaming history.
