HBO has officially stated that Pedro Pascal is yet to complete his shooting for The Last of Us Season 2, debunking rumors to the contrary as inaccurate, according to IGN. The speculation about the actor’s filming schedule began with insights from Daniel Richtman, a well-regarded insider, who revealed on his Patreon page that Pascal had finished his part, while the rest of the season’s filming is not expected to wrap up until August 2024.
This news would have been surprising, especially since Craig Mazin, the showrunner, had previously announced that production was slated to start on February 12, just over a month ago, after being delayed due to strikes. However, HBO clarified to IGN that this was not the case.
The rumors led to mixed reactions among fans of the HBO series. While some were puzzled, considering Pascal’s character, Joel, played a pivotal role in Season 1 alongside Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, others were less surprised by the news of his brief time on set.
**Warning: Spoilers for The Last of Us Part 2 and potential spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2 ahead.**
Pedro Pascal is reportedly still on the roster for filming The Last of Us Season 2. The series, which closely follows the storyline of the PlayStation game it’s based on, saw its first season diverge in some aspects but largely remained true to Naughty Dog’s original narrative. Season 2 promises to offer a live-action rendition of the controversial video game sequel, The Last of Us Part 2. Despite Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog co-president, confirming that some aspects will differ significantly from the game, it seems the upcoming episodes will still deliver a story familiar to fans.
However, Joel’s fate seems grim (consider this your final spoiler alert). The beloved character meets a brutal end early in The Last of Us Part 2, killed by Abby with a golf club. Thus, when rumors surfaced about Pascal’s early departure from filming, fans feared the worst.
Social media has been abuzz with speculation, memes, and discussions about Pascal’s filming status and Joel’s fate in the upcoming season. Despite HBO’s update, many believe Joel’s story will continue through flashbacks in Season 2, similar to his presence in The Last of Us Part 2.
Season 2 will introduce Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, the character pivotal to Joel’s demise, alongside new cast members Danny Ramirez as Manny, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, and Spencer Lord as Owen. Each character plays a significant role in the narrative, especially Abby, who is central to the storyline.
Fans familiar with the game sequel are holding out hope for Joel’s survival, despite the odds. As anticipation builds, the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2 next year is eagerly awaited. For more insights into HBO’s adaptation of the acclaimed video game series, including a review of Season 1 that scored a 9/10 for its faithful and enriching adaptation, stay tuned.
Michael Cripe, a freelance contributor with IGN, has been covering the industry since 2017 and is recognized for his contributions to outlets like The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx. Follow him on Twitter @MikeCripe for more updates.