“The Last of Us” franchise is a masterpiece of modern storytelling. As a longtime fan who’s played both games several times, I can confidently say the emotional depth, brutal realism, and narrative suspense of the Naughty Dog series is nearly unmatched.
Hence, when HBO adapted it into a show in 2023, my expectations were pretty high. Unfortunately, what followed was less than satisfying, particularly when it comes to casting and characterization.
Let’s start with Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller. Pascal is very hot in Hollywood, in which there are fantastic reactions every time he is cast. Other than his acting, he has a very sweet personality. People are very drawn to him because he genuinely seems like a good person. In all honesty, his sweetness just isn’t right for the role. Joel is a hardened survivor. He’s fueled by the trauma from his past, and I just don’t feel that he embodies the character. Pascal’s Joel is too tender, too apologetic, and frankly, too safe!
“Joel’s a great character. I think Pedro’s a nice person, but he just doesn’t fit with the character that people look up to,” said sophomore Jenny Von-Threse, “That contrast didn’t sit right for me.”
Don’t even get me started on Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams. Ramsey clearly made an impression on Game of Thrones, and they’ve got talent. But physically and emotionally, the casting just felt off, especially from what we’ve seen in Season Two.
Ellie isn’t the same girl from the first game anymore. She’s more vengeful after Joel’s fate. We needed someone with that feral spark, someone who could show Ellie’s unraveling in a way that feels raw and dangerous. I just don’t think Bella brings that energy. Plus, just looking at her side-by-side to the character they look nothing alike. How am I supposed to take her acting seriously?
“She looks nothing like Ellie. That’s so disappointing and upsetting. Like why waste your time,” said Sophomore Trevor Puigdomenech.
It also feels like HBO cast Ramsey because her name sparks controversy. She’s openly part of the LGBTQ+ community, and while visibility is important, I can’t help but feel like the network was more focused on checking boxes and appealing to certain audiences than honoring the character. It’s hard to shake the feeling that it was a PR move as much as a casting choice.
Look, representation matters obviously, but it should never come at the cost of storytelling. If Ellie’s transformation is the emotional backbone of Season Two, then the actress portraying her needs to match that weight. There’s only been two episodes released, and I’m really hoping she makes a change.
The real casting misfire, though, Abby Anderson. Kaitlyn Dever, while a capable actress, does not capture Abby’s physical presence or energy. If you’ve played The Last of Us Part II, you know Abby is built like a tank! She is intimidating! This is crucial to who she is, not for looks, but for narrative weight.
Instead, HBO leaned into the male gaze, again. “HBO tends to glamorize everything,” freshman Andrea Rivero added, “It’s like they saw Abby as an aesthetic obstacle they needed to smooth out.”
When Abby was introduced in the game, her motivations were a mystery. That slow reveal-built suspense. But in the show, they laid it all out within her first few minutes on screen. Her presence lacks the enigma that made her character arc so impactful! You felt that pain playing the game, I cried like 3 times. Worse, she calls Joel “handsome” while describing him to the wolves? How does that equate? HBO is just making up for what happens to him. That’s just awful storytelling.
The casting announcement for Kaitlyn Dever in early 2024 was exciting at the time, I’ll admit. But by the second episode’s horde scene, she gave absolutely nothing. No intensity, no strength… nothing, and fans are noticing.
Let’s not forget the real-world consequences of casting choices! When the second game dropped in 2020, Abby’s original voice actress Laura Bailey, received death threats. That’s disgusting. No one deserves that, not Bailey, not Dever, and even Ramsey. The show’s tone-deaf writing doesn’t help either. It erases the complexity of these characters and makes them seem like hollow stand-ins!
Ramsey, to their credit, shows glimmers of Ellie’s grit. After Joel’s death, Ellie becomes consumed by violence, and Bella is beginning to capture that transformation. However, the story’s not over yet, and I’m holding onto the hope they can grow into it.
Still, the show feels hollow. HBO can pour in all the budget and effects in the world, but if you strip away the soul, the careful character work that Naughty Dog set up you’re left with just another post-apocalyptic drama, and “The Last of Us” was never just that.
As we head toward the second season’s conclusion, I hope HBO gives Abby her strength and Ellie her fury. I hope the infamous boat scene isn’t reduced to fan service. I hope they remember why we love this franchise: for its danger, its depth, and the way it rips you apart and puts you back together again.
Until then, I’ll be replaying the game for the fourth time, and honestly, it’s still better than watching the show.
