‘The Last of Us’ Star Pedro Pascal on the Season 2 Time Jump and Why It’s Hard to ‘Separate What the Characters Are Going Through’

by

In the next season of “The Last of Us,” the strong connection between Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, and Tommy, portrayed by Gabriel Luna, remains a vital aspect of the story, providing a sense of stability among the terrifying post-apocalyptic chaos.

At a press event guided by Jazz Tangcay of EbMaster in Los Angeles, the actor explained that their relationship with Luna developed naturally and progressively from Season 1 to Season 2.

Pascal commented, “I believe we had an incredibly strategic curve thrown our way.” He began the season alongside Luna, didn’t we? Remember, we started Season 1 together on D-Day. So, there was a sort of shared experience, a kind of initiation if you will, as we dived into everything. We had rehearsals and pre-production. We even went river rafting.

Luna chimed in: “We did go river rafting, Bow River, which was really nice.”

In Season 1, Pascal observed that the two characters were initially apart but eventually came back together – a situation he described as them being “reunited amidst the snow.

Pascal commented to Luna, ‘I believe I revealed quite a bit of my character during those moments, and it was exciting to act it out.’ In Season 2, he added, ‘it seemed like a genuine progression of our characters and our on-screen dynamic that we had established earlier.’

Luna concurred with Pascal, remarking, “From the beginning, I recall having an exceptionally comfortable video chat with you that made me feel strikingly familiar.

At the conference featuring creators Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann, along with Season 2 cast members like Isabela Merced and Young Mazino, Pascal talked about the upcoming new season’s arrival. He expressed his enthusiasm saying, “I believe there’s something truly exciting about offering another season of a show that everyone adores, one that we all have worked tirelessly on and invested so much into.

The actor was questioned regarding his thought process when tackling the shift of five years from Season 1 to Season 2, a transition that sees Pascal’s character, Joel, and Bella Ramsey’s character, Ellie, initially at odds in the second season.

To Ramsey, Pascal commented, “It felt like a lovely arrangement by Craig and Neil for me to shoot my first scene with just you, in a rather intimate setting. There’s a palpable tension between them, but we managed to keep things light and have fun on set, even laughing at times. This sense of familiarity was very comforting, like returning home.

For Pascal, this role is distinct from others.

Pascal expressed feeling both grateful to be back and struggling to distinguish between the emotions of the characters and his own, which he described as unhealthy. Essentially, he was saying he could empathize with their pain.

“I suppose I was in an unhealthy mindset,” he added, with a laugh.

The show titled “The Last of Us” made its premiere in the year 2023, and it’s set in a world devastated by a virus turning humans into zombie-like beings. Recently, when asked about the contemporary significance of this series, Pascal expressed that storytelling can be therapeutic, using the term “cathartic.

He commented that finding relief, which can sometimes border on discomfort, lies in such catharsis, and it provides a secure environment to observe human connections during hardship and distress. This perspective allows for the creation of insightful political and societal analogies that reflect our current world.

Pascal answered a question about the show’s impact on his life and public profile.

Pascal mentioned that this job significantly altered the course of his life in a deep sense due to the unique personal journey he underwent during production, as well as the response the show received.

He admitted that it’s unusual for a show to resonate as deeply with its audience as it does with us, given its profound significance.

The show serves as a “pillar” when it garners increased public interest, he noted. Pascal praised Kaitlyn Dever, who joined the cast during Season 2 as the character Abby. “Just like in Season 2, when we first worked together, it was as if I had long admired your talent, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful to share screen time with you,” Pascal expressed.

In response to queries about Joel’s protective nature towards Ellie and any personal inspirations behind it, Pascal stated, “I care deeply for those I hold dear, and I believe this sentiment is what I share most with the character.

Read More

2025-03-25 03:46