As of December 2025, the cast of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us remains one of the most celebrated and critically acclaimed ensembles in video game history, setting an unprecedented standard for performance capture and storytelling. The original voice and motion capture artists—Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey—are not just actors, but integral creative forces who helped define the emotional brutality and complexity of the post-apocalyptic world.
The performances across both The Last of Us Part I and its controversial sequel, Part II, have cemented the legacy of these actors, earning them numerous industry accolades, including multiple BAFTA and The Game Awards wins. With the gaming community buzzing over the latest, most current rumors of a new group of characters and a potential casting call for the highly anticipated The Last of Us Part III, it is the perfect time to look back at the iconic core cast and their enduring impact.
The Iconic Core: A Full Biography Profile of The Last of Us Game Cast
The central trio of actors delivered performances so nuanced that they transcended traditional voice acting, utilizing simultaneous motion capture to become the physical and emotional embodiment of their characters. Their work is the foundation of the series' topical authority and emotional weight.
- Character: Joel Miller (The Last of Us Part I & Part II)
- Actor: Troy Baker
- Profile: An industry veteran and one of the most prolific voice actors in modern gaming. Baker portrayed Joel with a gruff, world-weary exterior that masked deep-seated vulnerability and paternal love. His performance in Part I earned him the Best Voice Actor award at the Spike VGX in 2013. He also appeared in the HBO television adaptation.
- Character: Ellie Williams (The Last of Us Part I & Part II)
- Actor: Ashley Johnson
- Profile: Johnson has been Ellie since the beginning, maturing the character from a sarcastic, hopeful teenager in Part I to a hardened, revenge-driven survivor in Part II. Her emotional range is frequently highlighted as the series' central pillar. She is the only actor to win the BAFTA Games Award for Performer in a Leading Role twice for the same character (in 2014 and 2021). She also made a poignant cameo in the HBO series.
- Character: Abigail "Abby" Anderson (The Last of Us Part II)
- Actor: Laura Bailey
- Profile: Bailey, another powerhouse in the voice acting world, took on the challenging and often polarizing role of Abby. Her performance was widely praised for its physicality and emotional depth, successfully portraying a character driven by trauma and a complex journey of redemption. Bailey's work earned her the prestigious Best Performance award at The Game Awards 2020.
From Spike VGX to The Game Awards: The Cast's Unprecedented Critical Acclaim
The critical success of The Last of Us games is inseparable from the performances of its cast. Their combined effort in motion capture and voice acting is often cited as a turning point in the industry, proving that video game performances can rival those in film and television.
The original game, The Last of Us Part I, was a critical darling, with both Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson receiving individual accolades. Johnson’s portrayal of Ellie was particularly celebrated, winning her the BAFTA Games Award for Best Performer in 2014.
The sequel, The Last of Us Part II, continued this trend, sweeping major categories at the 2020 Game Awards, including the coveted Game of the Year. The focus on performance was even more intense, with the game featuring a dual-protagonist narrative that relied heavily on the audience connecting with both Ellie and Abby.
Laura Bailey's win for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2020 for her role as Abby was a landmark moment, recognizing the difficulty and emotional commitment required to bring such a divisive character to life. This level of recognition for video game actors, placing them on par with their Hollywood counterparts, underscores the high quality and dramatic weight of the entire ensemble, which includes actors who play supporting roles with equal commitment.
The Supporting Ensemble: Unsung Heroes of the Post-Apocalypse
While Joel, Ellie, and Abby anchor the narrative, the world of The Last of Us is populated by a rich tapestry of characters, each brought to life by a talented voice and motion capture artist. These performances provide the necessary context and emotional hurdles for the main characters.
- Jeffrey Pierce (Tommy Miller): Pierce, who played Joel’s brother Tommy across both games, delivered a powerful performance as a man struggling to balance his moral compass with the brutal reality of the world. Pierce also played a different character, Perry, in the HBO series, further cementing his connection to the franchise.
- Shannon Woodward (Dina): As Ellie's romantic partner in Part II, Woodward brought a grounded, warm, and fiercely protective presence to the character of Dina, offering moments of light amidst the darkness.
- Ian Alexander (Lev): Alexander's portrayal of Lev, a young transgender boy from the Seraphite faction, was a critical element of Abby's storyline. The performance was lauded for its sensitivity and realism, highlighting the game’s commitment to diverse storytelling.
- Stephen A. Chang (Jesse): Chang played Jesse, Dina's ex-boyfriend and a loyal friend to Ellie and the Jackson community. His performance provided much-needed levity and humanity to the harrowing journey in Seattle.
- Jeffrey Wright (Isaac): The veteran actor provided the voice for Isaac, the formidable leader of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) in Part II, lending gravitas and menace to the faction's operations.
The Future of the Cast: Part III Rumors and the Factions Mystery
The most current and exciting news for fans revolves around the potential cast of the next major game. While Naughty Dog has been tight-lipped, recent industry rumors and 'leaks' strongly suggest that a new chapter is in development, and it may pivot away from the established core cast to introduce fresh entities.
Reports indicate that The Last of Us Part III is reportedly going to feature a whole new cast of characters with their own interwoven drama. This development suggests that the narrative will expand beyond the immediate lives of Joel and Ellie, potentially focusing on a different region or new groups of survivors navigating the post-Cordyceps world. Unconfirmed casting calls have hinted at the need for new faces, suggesting that motion capture and recording sessions may already be underway.
This approach would align with Creative Director Neil Druckmann's vision to explore new themes and maintain the series' reputation for shocking, unpredictable narrative shifts. The potential introduction of new protagonists and antagonists will challenge the established topical authority and emotional connections fans have with the original cast, creating a completely fresh experience.
Furthermore, the long-awaited standalone multiplayer game, The Last of Us Factions, is expected to focus on the various survivor groups and their struggles. While a multiplayer experience won't have a singular main cast, it will undoubtedly feature new voice talent for player characters, faction leaders, and in-game lore, continuing to expand the universe established by the core cast of Part I and Part II.
The legacy of the original Last of Us game cast—Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, and the entire supporting ensemble—is secure. They not only defined their characters but also elevated the entire medium of video game storytelling. As the series moves forward, whether with a new cast in Part III or through the expanded world of Factions, their groundbreaking work will remain the benchmark for all who follow.
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