The second season of The Last of Us is a few months away, as it will arrive sometime in 2025 on the Max catalog, but fans are already catching up with the updates, such as the teaser and the new characters.

Several actors have announced their return following the confirmation that filming has wrapped, and of course, the first to do so were Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who are returning once again as Joel Miller and Ellie Williams.

Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the co-creators of the series, spoke with IGN about the new characters and the casting process they have undertaken for the new episodes. Here, check out the guide and what they said about each one…

All new The Last of Us characters for Season 2

  • Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever)

Abby is one of the new main characters. She is strong, determined and has been trained in combat. She has a complex backstory, and her main motivation is tied to traumatic events that have deeply marked her.

Kaitlyn Dever will portray this character, who will be truly key in the second season, just as she was in the game The Last of Us II. The actress is known for movies like No One Will Save You and Ticket to Paradise.

“Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material. Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella and the rest of our family“, Mazin and Neil Druckmann said.

  • Jesse (played by Young Mazino)

Jesse is a character who appears in the second part of the game. He is a close friend of Ellie, Dina’s ex-boyfriend and a member of the Jackson community. His character is kind and supportive, and he stands out for his loyalty to his friends.

Young Mazino is an actor known for the series Beefand dramatic movies like Trinity’s Triumph. He has been cast to portray Jesse in the second season, being a central part of the new cast.

“Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him. We’re so lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for the audience to see Young shine in our show“, Mazin and Druckmann said.

  • Dina (played by Isabella Merced)

She is Ellie’s girlfriend and is also part of the Jackson community. Dina is strong, clever and has a great sense of humor. Her romantic relationship with Ellie is an emotional pillar and a significant companionship in the story.

Isabela Merced (Madame Web and Transformers 5) brings this character to life, as she and Ellie face the challenges of the post-apocalyptic world while navigating their relationship and the effects of the violence that surrounds them.

“Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous and instantly lovable. You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away“, Mazin and Druckmann said.