The Last of Us season 2 casts Booksmart star in major role

Fans of the video game will know that Abby's appearance is linked to that brutal and emotional season 1 finale in the hospital, and season 2 will see her face up to Ellie in a dangerous way. Basically, she's not to be messed with!

While much about season 2 is being kept under wraps, Nick Offerman, who played Bill, recently teased his return after he won an Emmy for his heartbreaking portrayal of Bill in season 1.

Asked whether he could return for season 2, Offerman told Deadline: "Oh, great question but I would have to ask somebody with a higher pay grade than myself.

"It certainly has been pitched. I think we pitched a whole mini-series of a prequel of their lives before they met each other," he added, joking: "It could be a musical. We’re not short on ideas. We’ll just we’ll see what Craig [Mazin] and Neil [Druckmann] come up with."

The Last of Us season 2 is scheduled to begin production this year after a delay due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

While the video game provides a basis for the story, co-creator Craig Mazin previously said he won't be afraid to take the story in a different direction.

"It will be different. Just as this season was different," he told ComicBook.com. "Sometimes it will be different radically and sometimes it will be barely different at all. But it's going to be different and it will be its own thing."

He added: "It won't be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil and I want to make."

The Last of Us is available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW.

Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on this week.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.