Joel and Ellie Have Been Cast for The Last of Us HBO Series

One of Naughty Dog’s most popular franchises is The Last of Us, a video game series set in a world where a pandemic has turned much of the population into zombie-like creatures. The Last of Us follows Joel and Ellie as they try to preserve their humanity in a post-apocalyptic America. The games have been so successful that they have led to the creation of an HBO television adaptation. Recently, it has been announced that the lead roles of Joel and Ellie have been cast for The Last of Us. Bella Ramsey will be taking the role of Ellie, and Pedro Pascal will be starring as Joel

Bella Ramsey is most known for her role as the noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. She has also had voice acting roles, such as in the animated series Hilda. Pedro Pascal has also acted in Game of Thrones, and stars in The Mandalorian.

Bella and Pedro will be playing Ellie and Joel respectively.

Ellie, who Bella Ramsey will be playing in The Last of Us HBO series, is a feisty and determined girl who is immune to the infection that is ravaging the world. Believing she may be the key to saving the human race, she and Joel make the dangerous journey across the country to find the only people left who may know how to turn Ellie’s immunity into a cure. Joel, who Pedro Pascal will be playing, is stoic, grief-stricken and has learned to be brutal in an unforgiving world. With both Joel and Ellie cast, The Last of Us series is one step closer to completion.

Only a few details have been revealed about this highly anticipated HBO series. Craig Mazin, who has previously worked with HBO as creator of Chernobyl, will be involved with the series as scriptwriter and executive producer. Kantemir Balagov, a Russian filmmaker, will be directing the pilot episode. Those familiar with the game’s narrative need not worry about too much retconning because Niel Druckmann, who directed both The Last of Us games, will also be involved in the television adaptation.

🎬 🍿 #TVNews: Russian filmmaker Kantemir #Balagov will direct the pilot episode of @HBO's highly anticipated adaptation of the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic game #TheLastOfUs 😎 With award winning films Closeness & Beanpole on his CV, Kantemir is a great choice! pic.twitter.com/2XYNk6PWle

— Russia 🇷🇺 (@Russia) January 16, 2021

According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Mahershala Ali had been offered a role. However, “a deal never came to fruition”. With The Last of Us Part II video game receiving over 200 awards, it seems the television adaptation is shaping up to be equally successful.

Fans of The Last of Us have a lot to look forward to. In addition to the upcoming HBO series, there is still the factions multiplayer game which Naughty Dog has assured gamers is on its way.