The Last Of Us Characters: 15 Key Figures And The Explosive New Cast For Season 2

The Last of Us franchise, spanning the critically acclaimed video games and the record-breaking HBO series, is defined by its complex, morally ambiguous characters navigating a brutal post-apocalyptic world. As of December 2025, the focus is sharply on the upcoming second season of the HBO show, which promises to introduce the controversial, yet pivotal, characters from The Last of Us Part II, completely reshaping the narrative for television audiences. The sheer depth of the character roster, from protagonists to secondary figures and even the terrifying Infected, provides a masterclass in emotional storytelling.

This comprehensive guide delves into the most important figures—the heroes, the villains, and the survivors—that have made this universe a global phenomenon, focusing on the latest developments, including the explosive new cast additions and the direction of the story toward a potential *Part III*.

The Last of Us: Core Character Biographies and Arcs

The emotional core of *The Last of Us* centers on a handful of individuals whose lives are forever intertwined by tragedy, duty, and revenge. Understanding their complete journey is essential to appreciating the franchise’s topical authority.

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Joel Miller (The Protector)

• Role: Protagonist of *The Last of Us Part I* and deuteragonist of *Part II*.
• Arc Summary: Joel begins as a single father who loses his daughter, Sarah, on Outbreak Day. He transforms into a ruthless smuggler and survivor for twenty years before being tasked with escorting Ellie. His defining moment is the morally grey choice to save Ellie from the Fireflies, sacrificing the potential cure for humanity to protect his surrogate daughter. In *Part II*, he lives a peaceful life in Jackson, Wyoming, before his brutal death sets the main conflict in motion.
• HBO Actor: Pedro Pascal.

Ellie Williams (The Immune)

• Role: Deuteragonist of *Part I* and primary protagonist of *Part II*.
• Arc Summary: Ellie is the world’s only known immune person to the Cordyceps brain infection. Her journey begins as a cargo, but she quickly forms an unbreakable bond with Joel. In *Part II*, she is driven by a consuming rage and grief over Joel's death, embarking on a brutal revenge arc against the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). Her struggle with trauma and forgiveness is the central theme of the second game.
• HBO Actor: Bella Ramsey.

Abigail "Abby" Anderson (The Avenger)

• Role: Secondary protagonist and antagonist of *The Last of Us Part II*.
• Arc Summary: Abby is the daughter of the Firefly surgeon Joel killed to save Ellie. Her entire life is consumed by the pursuit of revenge, culminating in her torturing and killing Joel. Her storyline forces players to empathize with the "antagonist," detailing her life as a soldier in the WLF and her eventual redemption arc through her relationship with Lev and Yara. She is a figure of intense moral ambiguity and physical resilience.
• HBO Actor (Season 2): Kaitlyn Dever.

The New Faces: Key Characters Joining HBO's Season 2

The casting announcements for *The Last of Us* Season 2 have been the most significant news update in the franchise recently. The new characters are all central to the events of *The Last of Us Part II*, and their introduction will drastically change the dynamic established in Season 1.

The HBO series, set to primarily adapt the second game, requires a large ensemble cast to portray the complex factions and relationships Ellie and Abby encounter. Here are the most critical new characters confirmed for Season 2, set to premiere in 2025.

The Jackson Crew

These characters are a part of the thriving community in Jackson, Wyoming, and are closely tied to Ellie’s life before the events of the main revenge story.

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• Dina (Isabela Merced): Ellie’s girlfriend and a resident of Jackson. Her relationship with Ellie is a key emotional anchor in the first half of the story, and she becomes pregnant with Jesse’s child.
• Jesse (Young Mazino): Dina’s ex-boyfriend and a close friend to both Ellie and Tommy. He is a pragmatic and loyal member of the Jackson patrol who joins Ellie on her hunt for Abby.

The Washington Liberation Front (WLF)

Abby's faction, also known as the "Wolves," is a military group that controls Seattle. They are locked in a brutal war with a religious cult called the Seraphites.

• Owen (Spencer Lord): Abby’s ex-boyfriend and a former Firefly. He is one of the WLF members who participated in Joel’s killing.
• Mel (Ariela Barer): A medic in the WLF and Owen’s pregnant girlfriend. Her death is a major turning point in Ellie’s arc.
• Manny (Danny Ramirez): A loyal and humorous WLF soldier who is close friends with Abby and Owen.
• Nora (Tati Gabrielle): A WLF medic involved in Joel's death. Her confrontation with Ellie is one of the game's most visceral moments.

The Seraphites: Lev and Yara

The Seraphites, or "Scars," are a religious, anti-technology cult operating outside of Seattle. Two of their members become crucial to Abby's eventual redemption arc, providing a critical counterpoint to Ellie’s quest for vengeance.

• Lev: A young Seraphite who is ostracized after cutting his hair, a transgression in the cult’s strict rules. He is a transgender boy who finds a protector and surrogate sister in Abby. His innocence and vulnerability are key to Abby’s shift in perspective.
• Yara: Lev’s older sister, who leaves the Seraphites with him. She is fiercely protective of Lev and aids Abby, despite her own serious injuries.

The relationship between Abby, Lev, and Yara is a powerful demonstration of found family in the post-apocalypse, and it is a major reason why Abby ultimately chooses to abandon her life of violence.

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The Last of Us Part I: Foundational Characters and Entities

To establish a complete topical authority, it is vital to remember the foundational characters from the first game who set the stage for everything that follows.

The Fireflies and Early Allies

• Sarah Miller (Nico Parker): Joel’s daughter, whose death in the opening sequence is the emotional catalyst for Joel's entire journey.
• Tess (Anna Torv): Joel’s smuggling partner and close friend in Boston. She is the one who convinces Joel to take Ellie to the Fireflies and sacrifices herself to ensure their escape.
• Tommy Miller (Gabriel Luna): Joel’s younger brother and a former Firefly. He is the leader of the thriving community in Jackson, Wyoming, and plays a critical, damaged role in Ellie’s revenge story.
• Marlene (Merle Dandridge): The leader of the Fireflies, a revolutionary militia group seeking a cure. She is the one who orders Ellie’s brain surgery, leading to her death at Joel’s hands.

The Walled City Survivors

• Bill and Frank (Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett): A pair of survivalists living in an isolated, booby-trapped town. In the HBO series, their story was expanded into a standalone, critically acclaimed episode exploring their long-term romantic relationship, a deviation from the game's narrative.
• Henry and Sam (Lamar Johnson and Keivonn Woodard): Two brothers Joel and Ellie encounter in Pittsburgh. Sam, a young boy, is one of the few children to become Infected, leading to a tragic, devastating end.

Looking Ahead: The Last of Us Part 3 Rumors and Ellie’s Future

Even as Season 2 prepares to introduce the controversial *Part II* narrative, the future of the video game series is already a hot topic. Rumors surrounding *The Last of Us Part 3* suggest that the franchise is far from over, with the potential for new characters and a continued focus on Ellie’s evolving role.

Initial leaks and speculation suggest that while a new cast of characters with their own drama might be introduced, Ellie is expected to remain "at least as important" in *Part 3* as she was in *Part II*. This indicates that the core narrative of trauma, survival, and moral consequence will continue to be explored through her perspective, potentially alongside a new group of survivors or even a return to Abby and Lev’s story.

Regardless of the final plot direction, the inclusion of new groups and locations will further expand the world's established entities, such as the *Infected (Runners, Clickers, Stalkers)*, the *Cordyceps fungal pandemic*, and the various survivor settlements, ensuring the franchise’s continued thematic richness and topical authority.

The enduring appeal of *The Last of Us* lies not just in its post-apocalyptic setting, but in the raw, human stories of its characters. From Joel's protective rage to Ellie's consuming grief and Abby's desperate search for redemption, these figures—and the powerful actors who portray them—ensure the franchise remains one of the most discussed and debated narratives in modern entertainment.