‘The Last of Us’ Star Tati Gabrielle Reveals Disgusting Spores Scene and Her Fear of Ellie

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ATTENTION: The following narrative includes revelations from the fifth episode of Season 2 of “The Last of Us,” currently available on Max.

In the recent episode of “The Last of Us,” Tati Gabrielle’s character, Nora from the WLF, left viewers on edge for multiple reasons. Not only was she the first character in the series to succumb to airborne Cordyceps spores, but she also endured a grueling attack at the hands of Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who was frantically searching for Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) to exact her vengeance.

Actress Gabrielle, known for her roles in “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “You,” has become a favorite at Naughty Dog, developers of “The Last of Us.” She’s previously worked with them on the “Uncharted” movie adaptation and will be starring in their upcoming project, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Project.” With an infectious energy that shines through even during early morning Zoom calls, she’s eager to take the lead in this franchise. In her words, “The child within me is ecstatic! I’m beyond thrilled. I genuinely have no words for it.

As I sat down to pen my thoughts on the latest horror flick, I couldn’t help but reflect on Gabrielle’s captivating conversation with EbMaster about the chilling portrayal of Nora’s demise. The film delved deep into the harrowing aspects of her death, leaving me breathless.

Moreover, the intricate dynamics between Nora and Ramsey were expertly depicted, offering a gripping insight into their working relationship. The way Gabrielle articulated her thoughts on how she envisioned a Cordyceps infection unfolding was particularly thought-provoking. All in all, this movie is a must-watch for any horror enthusiast seeking a heart-stopping, intellectually stimulating cinematic experience.

When Ellie confronts Nora about Abby killing Joel, Nora at first plays along and appears sympathetic, before switching up with that seething line, “Little bitch got what he deserved.” How did you approach that moment?

I believe Nora’s apology to Ellie and her recollection of the events were intended to come across as genuine. Unlike Abby, Nora seems to walk a different path. It wasn’t just about revenge or blind anger; it was about ensuring justice in a way that felt balanced. From my perspective, Nora wanted to be fair to Ellie when offering that apology. Replaying the memory, I can’t help but feel that this is something Nora still grapples with. It didn’t unfold as we anticipated; it was far from what Abby led us to believe. She said she wanted to kill him, not beat him brutally, not be that cruel.

For Nora, each evening she relives the traumatic event in her mind and is haunted by it, yet she suppresses her feelings and rationalizes them: “No, no. He deserved his fate. He brought ruin upon us all. He caused our destruction.” It’s not only about Abby’s father; it encompasses the entire state of this world right now. That man wronged everyone. He robbed us of a future and any glimmer of hope. I wanted justice to seem just, but I also want you to understand my perspective. And yes, that bastard got what he deserved.

The episode’s director Stephen Williams told my colleague his priority was creating a safe environment for you and Bella during the confrontation. What did that look like on set?

It’s quite amusing, especially during the chase in the elevator where Stephen showed his “dad” side, full of protective uncle energy. There was a moment when I missed my footing in the elevator shaft, causing me to swing out as the elevator began to descend. That’s when Stephen decided to call it quits for the day. I eagerly said, “Let’s try again! I can do it correctly this time, I swear!” But he gently took my hand, acting like a father would, saying, “No, my heart can’t handle it anymore, so we’re finished.” Stephen always ensured our well-being throughout the shoot.

Bella shared a similar sentiment! As they were getting hit, she wanted to ensure it wasn’t too harsh on her. Fortunately, it wasn’t. She exclaimed something like, “Go for it! I held you down for almost two hours! Let’s continue!” She genuinely appreciated the experience on the show, noticing how much the cast and crew mirrored the show’s essence. There was a sense of family, there was care. Even when she struggled to breathe, everyone made sure there was water and tea nearby. She feels incredibly thankful for that.

Speaking of the coughing, this episode introduces the concept of airborne spores into the series for the first time. How did you and the team craft what it would look like for the infection to take hold of you in this way?

In my interaction with Craig Mazin, I found myself deeply immersed in the intricate details of our shared fascination. He aimed for an extraordinary portrayal of scientific authenticity. Have you ever witnessed the eerie transformation of an insect by Cordyceps? I peppered Craig with questions: “Suppose she’s inhaling this, wouldn’t it affect her nervous system first? But isn’t she choking?” We engaged in intense discussions to ensure the depiction felt as genuine as possible. The character’s nervous system was being overtaken by this mysterious entity. Her lungs were filling with a substance alien to our own. It wasn’t suffocation, but rather a struggle for breath, as he explained. Technically, she could breathe, yet it was arduous. The subtle body twitches were a result of her brain’s fight to maintain consciousness and communicate with Ellie. It’s a battle against insanity, waged unwillingly and rapidly. Survival instincts cling to humanity and self. It was undoubtedly the most challenging role I’ve ever undertaken as an actor. Dying and saying final words might be easier; surviving while being consumed from within is far more difficult.

Nora’s death in both the game and series marks a turning point when Ellie becomes fully consumed by rage and grief. What was it like crafting those moments with Bella?

I was genuinely terrified by them! Sweetheart Bella constantly checked on me, giving me reassuring glances like “Everything okay?” During filming breaks. The sincerity in Bella’s eyes as she portrayed Ellie’s resolute character really aided me in embodying Nora. It allowed Nora to internalize the feeling of despair, such as, “We’re all doomed. You don’t care about being the solution or even the fact that you’ve doomed us all.” This sense of icy detachment was almost enjoyable, though it may sound peculiar to say so. However, knowing how kind-hearted Bella usually is made it easier for me to find the right emotional space. It was a truly moving experience.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2025-05-12 06:01