The first season, based on the game , is set in , twenty years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection , which causes its hosts to transform into zombie -like creatures and collapses society. Joel, a smuggler, is tasked with escorting the immune teenager Ellie across a post-apocalyptic United States. The second season is expected to adapt the sequel , partly following Abby Kaitlyn Dever. Series creators and writers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann felt the television medium allowed an opportunity to explore characters' backstories further than the games, which Druckmann wrote and co-directed.
Casting took place virtually through Zoom due to the COVID pandemic , with several high-profile guest stars cast for singular or few episodes. Pascal and Ramsey were cast for their abilities to embody the characters and imitate their relationship.
The performances of the main and guest cast throughout the series received critical acclaim and awards. The Last of Us is written by series creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann ; the latter wrote and co-directed the video games on which the series is based. Druckmann was open to changing any aspects of the games but always wanted a strong reason, [ 4 ] ensuring he and Mazin considered the impacts on events later in the narrative. Casting for the second season was put on hold in May due to the Writers Guild of America strike ; actors had been auditioning with scenes from The Last of Us Part II due to an absence of scripts.
Joel Miller Pedro Pascal is a hardened middle-aged survivor who is tormented by the trauma of his past. Pascal's casting was announced on February 10, He accepted the role within 24 hours; [ 17 ] The Mandalorian producers gave Pascal permission to work on the series.
Pascal was chosen for his ability to portray a tough, tortured, and vulnerable character who suppresses his emotions until necessary. Club ' s David Cote enjoyed Pascal's warmth and humor, particularly in scenes in which he teaches Ellie; [ 27 ] Den of Geek ' s Bernard Boo considered the sixth episode among the best performances of Pascal's career; [ 28 ] TVLine named Pascal the Performer of the Week, citing his emotions and physicality, [ 29 ] and Push Square ' s Bayne opined he balanced "the stoic masculinity with tender vulnerability".
