The cast and creative team behind The Last of Us gathered for a panel discussion Monday night, where Kaitlyn Dever found herself humorously accused of killing Pedro Pascal’s Last of Us character Joel, a pivotal moment that continues to spark debate as anticipation builds for Season 3. The panel, hosted by Rob McElhenney in front of a lively audience, delved into the complexities of Joel’s fate and offered insight into the series’ faithfulness to its game origins.
The Dramatic Decision to Kill Joel Explored During the Panel
Moderator Rob McElhenney opened by directly confronting the central controversy: the on-screen death of Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, in Season 2. Addressing the creative minds behind the show, McElhenney’s question highlighted the significance of this plot twist and its deep emotional impact on fans invested in Joel’s journey. The panel, which featured Neil Druckmann—co-creator and writer of both the original game and the series—provided a window into the decisions behind this intense narrative shift.
“The first game, when I was working on it, I’m so insecure I didn’t think it would succeed. … I thought, ‘Oh this will be one and done. They’ll never let me do this again,’ and then it became very successful and there was a chance to do it again,”
—Neil Druckmann, Cocreator and Writer
“For a long time no story felt right. They were very plot-oriented about Ellie (Bella Ramsey) trying to find someone else who was immune like her, and then I realized it was missing this kind of thematic core that the first [game] had. … We finally landed on this idea of this continuation conversation around love, which is someone that you love so much, if somebody else hurt them, how far are you willing to go to exact revenge or justice or however you want to put it? Then everything kind of fell into place, and I could leverage how much these two characters love each other, how much they care about each other, and then break that.”
—Neil Druckmann, Cocreator and Writer
Druckmann detailed how initial uncertainties about the game’s success ultimately matured into a narrative centered on themes of love, loss, and vengeance. His remarks revealed that the choice to remove Joel from the story was not simply a shocking turn, but a deliberate evolution grounded in the emotional realism of the characters, forging new paths for those left behind—especially Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey.
Cast Reflections on Character Arcs and Grief
Bella Ramsey offered insight into Ellie’s evolving psychological state following Joel’s death, emphasizing how her character’s struggle with trust and grief shapes the new season’s direction. Ramsey described Ellie’s internal battle as more than simple sadness—her drive for justice becomes all-consuming and dangerous, making the loss of Joel a catalyst for profound character growth.
“I think she was someone who already struggled to trust,”
—Bella Ramsey, Actor (Ellie)
“To have that taken away from her by the person she loves the most, I think that really altered her brain chemistry a bit. So she comes into this season, particularly after [his death], and she has a single-minded focus of, like, this person she loved so much who hurt her so much, she just has to do anything to try and heal from the grief of all of that. I think if she just loved him so much and didn’t also hate him so much for what he did, I think it’d almost be simpler for her, but I think because of how complex that relationship has become she’s so driven for justice to be done, sort of beyond justice, and it gets into dangerous territory with her.”
—Bella Ramsey, Actor (Ellie)
The remarks underscore how the emotional aftermath of Joel’s absence propels Ellie into a complicated state of mourning and determination, encapsulating the intense and complex tone of the series. With Joel’s death reverberating across every character, viewers are reminded that The Last of Us is unafraid to embrace difficult narrative territory.
Kaitlyn Dever Reacts to Her Role as Abby
Participating in the event via Zoom from Australia, Kaitlyn Dever—who portrays Abby, the contentious figure responsible for ending Joel’s life—became a target of good-natured ribbing from McElhenney and the audience. His playful accusation, “You killed America’s sweetheart,” drew laughter and set the stage for Dever’s candid perspective on inhabiting such a divisive role.
“How could you do something like that?”
—Rob McElhenney, Moderator
“I don’t know what came over me.”
—Kaitlyn Dever, Actor (Abby)
Dever admitted the intensity of filming Joel’s death scene, sharing that the controversy surrounding her character never impacted her focus, largely due to the supportive team and meaningful collaboration she experienced on set.
“The controversy surrounding Abby was never really a concern for me just given my first meeting with Craig [Mazin, cocreator and writer] and Neal and how wonderful they are and how talented they are,”
—Kaitlyn Dever, Actor (Abby)
“I’ve never felt so carried on a set in my life, especially doing that scene in the chalet [where Joel dies]. I was going through a lot personally, but it is one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had as an actor just because it really, really felt like such a team effort. … I’ve never experienced anything like that before. The reaction and my own personal experience has just been incredibly special.”
—Kaitlyn Dever, Actor (Abby)
Maintaining Faithfulness to the Source Material
Neil Druckmann addressed the challenges of adapting complicated material without losing the heart of the original games. He credited HBO for allowing the series to remain faithful to its source, especially when it called for bold storytelling choices. Druckmann pointed out that embracing controversial decisions was crucial for the show’s authenticity.
“I’ve been involved with several failed adaptations, both for Uncharted and The Last of Us and I think it was good to go on that journey to end up at HBO,”
—Neil Druckmann, Cocreator and Writer
“and end up at a place that leans into those controversial decisions, I guess, but those decisions are what the story required. Even now, I can’t believe that they let us structure the series in this way, meaning that we just ended Season 2 [how we did] and Season 3 is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn.”
—Neil Druckmann, Cocreator and Writer
In a moment that surprised the panel and delighted fans, Druckmann confirmed that Season 3 will focus more closely on Dever’s Abby, following the trajectory of the second game while giving new depth to her character in the show’s universe. Dever’s mock shock at the announcement—“What? No way!”—played into the excitement building for the next season’s direction. McElhenney’s playful interjection about contract negotiations drew further laughter from those present.
“Have you closed your deal yet?”
—Rob McElhenney, Moderator
“Because you just got a ton of leverage.”
—Rob McElhenney, Moderator
New and Returning Cast Reflect on Support and Representation
Joining the panel was Isabela Merced, who plays Dina, Ellie’s love interest. Merced credited Bella Ramsey as instrumental in helping her settle into her role, highlighting the supportive environment among cast members. Their rapport allowed for emotionally resonant performances that resonated with many fans.
“Bella gave me everything I needed in every single scene to be able to do what I did,”
—Isabela Merced, Actor (Dina)
“It wouldn’t have been half as successful or complete had it not been for our work together. There were just moments where I felt like I was losing it and Bella was the only person I had to support me because Bella was the only one who really understood, so there was solidarity and support in every take. Our performances relied so heavily on the other person.”
—Isabela Merced, Actor (Dina)
Bella Ramsey acknowledged the meaningful impact their on-screen relationship had on viewers, stating that the story’s representation felt authentic and far from tokenism.
“If you saw yourself in that, then it really was for you,”
—Bella Ramsey, Actor (Ellie)
“Even though that relationship gets sort of dark, I hope that it was a light and a joyful kind of touch to The Last of Us and I think that the way it was so masterfully woven into the story didn’t feel like a checkbox exercise or representation for the sake of it. It was actually just two people in the apocalypse falling in love and they both happened to be women, and I love the way that story is represented. So yeah, if you saw yourself in that, I’m really happy.”
—Bella Ramsey, Actor (Ellie)
The series continues to spark conversations about representation, love, and loss, demonstrating its relevance and emotional resonance with audiences worldwide.
The Cast Concludes with Reflections on Set Dynamics
In the final moments of the night, McElhenney turned the spotlight on the cast’s off-camera dynamics, inquiring about each member’s approach to coping with the emotionally intense material. Ramsey observed that Young Mazino, who plays Jesse, tends to internalize the weight of his character, living deeply within the emotions of the story.
“Young, I feel like you live in it,”
—Bella Ramsey, Actor (Ellie)
“You sort of really feel it deeply, so you’re the one who doesn’t just shake it off.”
—Bella Ramsey, Actor (Ellie)
Mazino wryly admitted the truth behind this assertion, showing both humility and humor as he responded to Ramsey’s observation.
“I would love to be able to shake it off.”
—Young Mazino, Actor (Jesse)
Gabriel Luna, who brings Joel’s brother Tommy to life, identified Ramsey as the cast member most able to separate work from personal life, recalling a vivid example from a particularly intense filming session.
“Bella, by far, is the one who will shake it off,”
—Gabriel Luna, Actor (Tommy)
“We had to go back to the aquarium to reshoot the last scene of the show and I’m sitting there at the monitor with Craig, and Craig’s calling out a few notes from outside, and Bella’s there being asked to perform an emergency C-section. Everyone’s crying. There’s blood everywhere. Then Craig called ‘cut’ and Bella’s just like…”
—Gabriel Luna, Actor (Tommy)
Luna’s story underscored the camaraderie of the cast and their ability to both immerse themselves in complex material and offer support to each other between scenes.
What Lies Ahead for ‘The Last of Us’
With the conclusion of its second season marked by Joel’s tragic death, The Last of Us solidifies its reputation for emotional narratives and bold storytelling. As indicated by Neil Druckmann and embraced by the cast, the coming season will thrust Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby into the spotlight, promising further exploration of the show’s central themes of justice, love, and the aftermath of loss. The continued commitment to adapting the original games with authenticity, supported by HBO’s willingness to take creative risks, sets the stage for new conflicts and evolving alliances. The series, currently streaming on Max, remains a focal point for passionate discussion among fans, with Pedro Pascal’s Last of Us character Joel killed serving as a pivotal moment that shapes what is still to come.
