Meet the cast of The Last of Us season 2

Adapted from the video game of the same name, The Last of Us tells the story of a world ripped apart by a deadly fungus which turns humans into terrifying zombies.

The tale is centred around Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal), who embark upon a journey to find a cure for the deadly apocalypse, encountering many friends and foes along the way.

The Last of Us season 2 cast: Who will return?

We're expecting the below cast members to return for season 2:

• Bella Ramsey as Ellie
• Pedro Pascal as Joe
• Gabriel Luna as Tommy
• Rutina Wesley as Maria

Meanwhile, the below stars have been added to the season 2 cast:

• Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
• Young Mazino as Jesse
• Isabela Merced as Dina

There are a fair few cast members who we're not expecting to see back - unless it's in the form of a flashback - due to their tragic demises in season 1. They include:

• Nico Parker as Sarah (died in season 1, episode 1)
• Anna Torv as Tess (died in season 1, episode 2)
• Nick Offerman's Bill (died in season 1 episode 3)
• Murray Bartlett's Frank (died in season 1 episode 3)
• Storm Reid as Riley (died in season 1, episode 4)
• Keivonn Woodard as Sam (died in season 1, episode 5)
• Lamar Johnson as Henry (died in season 1, episode 5)
• Merle Dandridge as Marlene (died in season 1, episode 9)

While Nick Offerman's Bill and Murray Bartlett's Frank also died in season 1, in the heartbreaking episode 3, Offerman recently offered a glimmer of hope.

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."

However, Craig Mazin swiftly put any reports around Offerman and Bartlett's return to bed, telling Deadline: “I’m very proud of the episode we did with Bill and Frank. There won’t be more Bill and Frank.”

Read on for more information about the returning and new season 2 cast.

Bella Ramsey plays Ellie

Who is Ellie? Ellie is a 14-year old orphan who has an instinct for anger and defiance but is also looking for belonging. She may also be the key to saving the world.

Where have I seen Bella Ramsey? Ramsey, who despite playing 14-year-old Ellie is 19 years old, is best known for her role as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, while she has also appeared in the series His Dark Materials, Becoming Elizabeth, Hilda and The Worst Witch. In addition, she's featured in films such as Catherine Called Birdy and Judy.

Pedro Pascal plays Joel

Who is Joel? Joel is a hardened survivor in The Last of Us who is tormented by past trauma. In the series he has to trek across a post-apocalyptic American landscape and protect Ellie along the way.

Where have I seen Pedro Pascal? Pascal is best known for his roles as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, Javier Peña in Narcos and as the title character in Star Wars series The Mandalorian. He has also had major roles in films including Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Wonder Woman 1984 and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Kaitlyn Dever plays Abby

Who is Abby? Abby is a new character, who has been wronged by Joel - and she's ready to face up to Ellie in a big way.

Where have I seen Kaitlyn Dever before? Dever is best known for her role as Amy in Booksmart, as well as roles in Dopesick, Ticket to Paradise, and Dear Evan Hanson.

Young Mazino plays Jesse

Who is Jesse? Jesse is a friend of Ellie's.

Where have I seen Young Mazino before? Mazino is best known for his role as Paul Cho in Beef.

Isabela Merced plays Dina

Who is Dina? Dina is "a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit".

Where have I seen Isabela Merced before? Merced has starred in Transformers: The Last Knight and the Lost City of Gold.

Gabriel Luna plays Tommy

Who is Tommy? Tommy is Joel's younger brother. He is an idealistic former soldier hoping for a better world.

Where have I seen Gabriel Luna? Luna is perhaps best known for playing Ghost Rider in Agents of SHIELD, while he has also had major roles in Terminator: Dark Fate, True Detective and the film Eddie & Sunny.

Rutina Wesley plays Maria

Who is Maria? Maria is Tommy's wife and is pregnant with their child.

Where have I seen Rutina Wesley? Wesley is perhaps best known for her role as Tara Thornton in True Blood. She's also appeared in the series Queen Sugar and Arrow.

The following cast members could potentially return in flashbacks:

Nico Parker plays Sarah

Who is Sarah? Sarah is Joel's 14-year-old daughter.

Where have I seen Nico Parker? The daughter of Thandiwe Newton and Ol Parker, Nico Parker has previously starred in the films Dumbo and Reminiscence, as well as HBO series The Third Day.

Following backlash from a small minority of The Last of Us fans who questioned the casting of Pascal, who is of Chilean descent, and biracial star Parker, in roles that are white in the original game, Parker told Yahoo! Entertainment: “There are people for whom the game is incredibly important to them."

She added: “But when it comes from a place where it’s just a disdain toward any kind of inclusivity, that’s where I don’t care. I don’t value that opinion and I don’t agree.”

Who is Riley? Riley is an orphaned girl living in Boston.

Where have I seen Storm Reid? Reid is best known for her roles in series including Euphoria, When They See Us and The Bravest Knight, as well as films such as The Suicide Squad, The Invisible Man, 12 Years a Slave and A Wrinkle in Time.

Keivonn Woodard plays Sam

Who is Sam? Sam is Henry's brother. The pair are hiding out from a revolutionary movement in Kansas City.

Where have I seen Keivonn Woodard? Woodard's only previous on-screen credit is for Seeds of Hope: The Andrew Jackson Foster Story.

Lamar Johnson plays Henry

Who is Henry? Henry is Sam's brother. The pair are hiding out from a revolutionary movement in Kansas City.

Where have I seen Lamar Johnson? Johnson is best known for appearing series such as The Next Level and Your Honour, as well as the film X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

Anna Torv plays Tess

Who is Tess? Tess is a smuggler and hardened survivor.

Where have I seen Anna Torv? Torv is best known for starring in the shows Fringe and Mindhunter, as well as her roles in Secret City, The Newsreader and The Secret Life of Us.

Merle Dandridge plays Marlene

Who is Marlene? Marlene is the leader of a resistance group called the Fireflies, which is fighting for freedom against an oppressive regime.

Where have I seen Merle Dandridge? Dandridge is the only member of the central cast to carry over her role from the games, having previously played Marlene in both games, The Last of Us and The Last of Us 2. She is also known for her TV roles in Station 19, Truth Be Told, The Flight Attendant and Greenleaf.

The Last of Us is available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW, with an Entertainment Membership for just £9.99.

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