Pedro Pascal Discusses Evolving Bond in ‘The Last of Us’ Season Two

LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2025 — Pedro Pascal opened up about the evolving brotherly bond between his character Joel and Tommy in the second season of HBO‘s acclaimed series “The Last of Us” during a recent press conference.

The event, moderated by Variety‘s Jazz Tangcay, featured Pascal and co-star Gabriel Luna discussing how their connection has deepened since the show’s first season, which debuted in 2023. According to Pascal, the relationship between Joel and Tommy serves as a crucial anchor amidst the apocalyptic chaos surrounding them.

“I think there was just a very, very well placed arc for us,” Pascal said. “I started the season with [Luna]. We started Season 1 together on D-Day, right? And so there was a kind of bonding, initiation process, stepping into all of it. We had our rehearsals and pre-production. We went river rafting.”

Luna added, “We did go river rafting on the Bow River, which was really nice.” The two actors established a connection that they hope audiences will feel as they portray their characters in increasingly complex emotional situations.

Pascal emphasized that the narrative in the new season feels like a natural continuation of their characters’ journeys. “In Season 1, the two characters were separated and reunited — ‘put in the snow together,’” he recalled. “I had you there when I feel like a lot of the flesh of my character started to display itself and got to be played.”

The press conference also included insights from show creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, as well as other Season 2 cast members like Isabela Merced and Young Mazino. Pascal reflected on the excitement of returning to a character who has resonated deeply with viewers.

<p“When you give everyone another season of a show that everyone loved and that everyone has worked so hard on, it’s really exciting,” he said.

The second season introduces a five-year time jump, which Pascal discussed as a pivotal moment for Joel and Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey. At the beginning of the new season, their relationship is marked by emotional distance.

<p“I feel like it was a beautiful setup by Craig and Neil,” Pascal remarked. “The first thing that I got to shoot was just you and I in kind of an intimate setting… There’s incredibly painful distance between the two of them.”

He acknowledged the pressures of reconnecting with the characters after the time jump but found comfort in the familiar environment on set. “We still got to be on set and mess around and laugh, and that was incredibly comforting, that was like coming home,” he said.

The actor urged that the show’s themes resonate with current societal issues, underscoring the importance of storytelling in navigating human relationships amid crises. “There’s a very healthy and sometimes sick pleasure in that kind of catharsis,” he explained.

Pascal’s portrayal of Joel has significantly influenced his public profile, marking a new chapter in his career. He expressed gratitude for the experience and how it has profoundly affected him. “This job definitely created a new chapter in my life in a profound way because of the personal experience I had making the show,” he said.

He also praised newcomer Kaitlyn Dever, who joins Season 2 as Abby. “It was like, I have admired your work for so many years, and I couldn’t believe I got to be in scenes with you,” he noted.

When discussing Joel’s protectiveness over Ellie, Pascal shared a personal connection to the role, highlighting his instinct to protect loved ones. “I’m protective of the people that I love, and I think that’s probably the main component that I relate to,” he said.