The Last of Us Season 2: Four New Cast Members Confirmed, Playing Characters From Second Game

Four new cast members have been revealed for The Last of Us Season 2 from HBO. We can also confirm which characters they will play.

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Manny, Mel, Nora, and Owen are coming in Season 2 of The Last of Us from HBO. | © HBO / Naughty Dog

The Last of Us has become one of the biggest franchises in modern gaming, and deservedly so. It hasn’t all been plain-sailing (the cancelled multiplayer game set in TLoU’s universe comes to mind), but for the most part the franchise is continuing to thrive.

The first season of the TV adaption from HBO had a very strong start last year, but it took some disappointing turns towards the finish-line. It covered the entirety of the plot from the first game, and so we can expect the next season to cover at least some of the events of the second game.

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Here are the new cast members and the characters they will play in The Last of Us Season 2. | © @TheLastofUsNews via X/Twitter

Four new cast members and their roles have been confirmed, these four will be playing characters who exclusively feature in the second game:

  • Manny will be played by Danny Ramirez:
    • "Falcon and the Winter Soldier" (TV series) - Ramirez played the role of Joaquin Torres, a character introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
    • "Assassination Nation" - Ramirez portrayed the character Diamond in this thriller film.
    • "On My Block" (TV series) - He appeared as Mario Martinez in this popular Netflix coming-of-age series.
  • Mel will be played by Ariela Barer:
    • "Runaways" (TV series) - Barer starred as Gert Yorkes, one of the main characters in this Marvel Comics adaptation series.
    • "One Day at a Time" (TV series) - She guest-starred as Carmen in this acclaimed sitcom.
    • "Atypical" (TV series) - Barer appeared as Bailey Bennett in this Netflix series about a teenager on the autism spectrum.
  • Nora will be played by Tati Gabrielle
    • "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" (TV series) - Gabrielle portrayed Prudence Night, a witch and one of the main antagonists in this dark fantasy series
    • "The 100" (TV series) - She played the role of Gaia, a recurring character in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi series.
    • "Uncharted" (2022) - Gabrielle appeared in this film adaptation of the popular video game series.
  • Owen will be played by Spencer Lord:
    • "Hawaii Five-0" (TV series) - Lord appeared in multiple episodes of this crime drama series.
    • "Criminal Minds" (TV series) - He guest-starred in an episode of this long-running crime procedural.
    • "Silicon Valley" (TV series) - Lord had a recurring role as a minor character in this comedy series centered around the tech industry.

In-depth descriptions of each character below.

The Last of Us Season 2: Who Are Manny, Mel, Nora & Owen?

Spoiler Alert: Manny, Mel, Nora and Owen are part of the group that hunt down and then torture Joel to death at the beginning of the second game. They are part of the so-called "Salt Lake Crew" because they were all ex-Fireflies from Salt Lake City who later joined the Washington Liberation Front in Seattle.

They were united by the desire to kill Joel Miller after he massacred the Fireflies and their lead surgeon, Jerry Anderson—Abby's father.

Who Is Manny?

Manny is a member of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) in. He is characterized by his confident and outgoing personality, often serving as a close friend and ally to protagonist Abby Anderson. Manny is skilled in combat and serves as a soldier within the WLF, displaying loyalty to his faction and its goals.

Who Is Mel?

Mel is a medic and member of the WLF. She is portrayed as intelligent and pragmatic, often providing medical assistance to her fellow WLF members. Mel is also involved romantically with Owen, adding emotional depth to her character. Her actions and decisions throughout the game reflect her dedication to her friends and her moral compass.

Who Is Nora?

Nora is a member of the WLF and serves as a close associate of Abby. She is depicted as resourceful and determined, playing a key role in the WLF's operations in Seattle. Nora's loyalty to her faction is evident, although her encounters with Abby reveal complex interpersonal dynamics and conflicting loyalties.

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You might recognise Tati Gabrielle from the popular Netflix show, You. | © Netflix

Who Is Owen?

Owen is a former member of the Fireflies turned member of the WLF. He is depicted as compassionate and introspective, often questioning the morality of the WLF's actions. Owen's relationship with Abby and Mel adds layers to his character, showcasing his struggles with loyalty, love, and personal values in a world torn apart by conflict.



Do you like these casting choices? Can you think of anyone you’d rather see in these roles? Let us know in the comments.

Jon Ramuz

Jon has a BA and an MA in English Literature, and as Head of Pull Content for EarlyGame has written over 1,500 articles. He focuses on shooters, but also writes about entertainment and gaming in general....