The Last Of Us Season 2 Casts Abby, Jesse, Dina

HBO has cast Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2 joining Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

Abby is one of three major new characters coming to Season 2. The character is described as: “Abby is a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved.”

“So excited to join the family,” Kaitlyn Dever posted on Instagram.

“Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material,” said Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us‘ co-creators, writers, executive producers and directors. “Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella and the rest of our family.”

Kaitlyn Dever was actually up to play the role of Ellie as fans have lobbied for years to get her in the role. Reportedly, she auditoned for Ellie in the HBO series but producers wanted someone younger (Dever is 27) and went with Ramsey (20).

The Last of Us Season 2 is expected to start filming this year and will get released in 2025.

The character of Abby is also from The Last of Us Part II game which Season 2 of the HBO series is in part adapting.

Kaitlyn Dever is known for Justified, Unbelievable, Last Man Standing, Dopestick, and recently Good Grief.

Update: Young Mazino has also been cast as Jesse, a pillar of his community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost. 

“Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him,” said Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us‘ co-creators, writers, executive producers and directors. “We’re so lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for the audience to see Young shine in our show.”

Update #2: Isabela Merced has been cast as Dina, Ellie’s new romantic interest and Jesse’s ex. Dina is a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit.

“Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous and instantly lovable,” said Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us‘ co-creators, writers, executive producers and directors. “You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away. We couldn’t be prouder to have her join our family.”

What is The Last Of Us on HBO about?

After a global pandemic destroys civilization, a hardened survivor takes charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity’s last hope.

Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Wonder Woman 1984) and Bella Ramsey (HBO’s His Dark Materials and Game of Thrones) star as Joel and Ellie. Gabriel Luna (True Detective) as Joel’s younger brother and former soldier, Tommy; Merle Dandridge (The Last of Us video games, The Flight Attendant) as resistance leader Marlene; and Anna Torv (Fringe) as Tess, a smuggler and fellow hardened survivor.

The series guest stars Nico Parker (The Third Day) as Sarah, Joel’s 14-year old daughter; Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) and Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) as Frank and Bill, two post-pandemic survivalists living alone in their own isolated town; Storm Reid (Euphoria) as Riley, an orphan in Boston; and Jeffrey Pierce (The Last of Us video games) as Perry, a rebel in a quarantine zone. Lamar Johnson guest stars as Henry and Keivonn Woodard as Sam, brothers in Kansas City hiding from a revolutionary movement seeking vengeance. Graham Greene guest stars as Marlon and Elaine Miles as Florence, a married couple surviving alone in the wilderness of post-apocalyptic Wyoming. 

Written and executive produced by Craig Mazin (HBO’s Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann, of The Last of Us and Uncharted video game franchises.

Carolyn Strauss (HBO’s Chernobyl and Game of Thrones) serves as executive producer, along with Evan Wells from the original game’s developer, Naughty Dog, and PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan.