The Last of Us episode 9 features key cameo you might have missed

But one moment that even the most eagle-eyed fans might have missed was a cameo from a popular star from the games.

Laura Bailey – who voices Abby in The Last of Us Part II – made a brief appearance in the finale as one of two nurses in the hospital, although she was very easy to miss given that she was covered up with a mask and wearing scrubs.

And showrunner Craig Mazin has revealed that it was a personal message from Bailey herself that led to him casting her in the minor role.

"She was like, 'Come on! Lemme do it. Lemme be in the show,'" he revealed during a virtual press conference alongside co-creator Neil Druckmann (via Entertainment Weekly). "We were like, 'We love you, of course!'"

He added: "I won't tell you which one she is, by the way. The two nurses look very similar."

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As for whether Bailey might return in a different role in the already confirmed second run, both Druckmann and Mazin teased that was very much a possibility.

"Maybe we'll do something else with her in the next season," Druckmann said, with Mazin adding: "I mean, she's got a mask on, so we can make her anything we want in the next season."

Throughout the first run, a number of actors from the games have appeared – either reprising their roles like Marlene star Merle Dandridge, or playing different characters in the case of Ashley Johnson (Anna), Troy Baker (James), and Jeffrey Pierce (Perry).

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

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