The Last of Us
We are in the second half of The Last of Us season 1 now, which we know will end the events of the first game before season 2 starts the second game. That’s going to be…something to watch unfold in live action, but while news about season 2/part 2 has been scarce, I do think that in theory, the show should already have two of its supporting roles cast.
It seems pretty clear at this point that both Victoria Grace, who plays Yara, and Ian Alexander, who plays Lev, should be able to reprise their game roles for The Last of Us season 2, similar to how Merle Dandridge got to play the same part of Marlene in both the game and the show.
Not only is the precedent there, but both actors are itching to do it. And unlike most of the major Last of Us actors, both of them look like their characters. Ellie, played by Ashely Johnson, Joel, played by Troy Baker and now in Part 2 Abby, played by Laura Bailey do not look nearly enough like their characters, or are completely the wrong ages. Abby in particular was an interesting case as she had Bailey doing her voice, then two different actresses for her face and body models. Now the show has to find an actress to embody all three (Shannon Berry was the last rumor on that front).
Yara and Lev
But for Yara and Lev, I don’t really know why you’d bother looking elsewhere. Here’s Victoria Grace on the possibility of playing Yara in the show:
And here’s Ian Alexander, who said “My fingers are crossed that I get to reprise my role as Lev.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Ian Alexander attends the Los Angeles Premiere of HBO’s “The … [+] Last Of Us” at Regency Village Theatre on January 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
With Lev in particular, his storyline revolves around him being an outcast from his cult for being transgender, and given that Ian Alexander is himself transgender, a key part of casting that role, the show would have to find…a different transgender actors that looks like Lev, if they weren’t using him? So I mean, why not just use him. The only obstacle I could see there is his age, as he’s simply much older than when he first performed his role as Lev in the game, and Lev being so young is sort of important. But I’d say it’s worth making the change just to get Alexander in the role.
Again, Grace and Alexander fit in ways that other voice actors, including supporting ones, simply don’t. Joel’s brother Tommy in the games was played by Jeffrey Pierce, the older bearded guy who was a part of the last few episodes in the Kansas City uprising militia. In Part 2, Jesse is played by Stephan A. Chang who is likely too old for the role in live action. Dina is played by Shannon Woodward, who does not look anything like Dina, though interestingly, she’s the one who first introduced Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann and made this entire show happen. My guess is they find a role for her somewhere. But not as Dina.
Yara and Lev feel like a slam dunk, however, even if the rest of the cast may need to be all-new. We’ll see if the showrunners agree once announcements start trickling out in the future.
Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to my free weekly content round-up newsletter, God Rolls.
Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Read More
The television adaptation of the popular video game “The Last of Us” is set to debut on HBO sometime in the near future. Although details about Season 1 of the show are still under wraps, one thing is certain: the cast will be stellar. Now, it seems that two of the show’s main actors – Maisie Williams and Pedro Pascal – should already be cast for Season 2.
Maisie Williams is best known for her portrayal of Arya Stark in HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, but she also appeared in the hit video game as well. She plays the role of Ellie, a young girl who is struggling with the aftermath of a post-apocalyptic world filled with dangers. Her character is described as a brave and determined spirit in the face of great adversity. Williams’ skills as an actor make her an ideal choice for the role of Ellie and her presence in the show will make Season 2 a must watch.
Another actor who should be considered for Season 2 is Pedro Pascal. Pascal, who also appeared in the video game as Joel, is perhaps best known for his role in the Netflix series “Narcos”. In “The Last of Us”, he plays a man with a difficult past who is trying to make the best of a difficult and dangerous new reality. His experience of playing a morally grey character in “Narcos” makes him the perfect fit for the role of Joel in the television adaptation of “The Last of Us”. Pascal is a respected actor and his involvement in the series should bring an edgy realism to the show’s narrative.
Maisie Williams and Pedro Pascal both have the credentials and talent to ensure that the adaptations’ accuracy and quality, and that it’s filled to the brim with positivity, are both preserved. In light of this, HBO should consider casting them both for Season 2 of “The Last of Us” to ensure that fans of the video game get the excellent theatrical adaptation they deserve.
