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The Last Of Us Video Game Cast: 10 Legendary Actors And The Controversial New Faces Of Part II

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The Last of Us stands as a monumental achievement in narrative video games, largely due to the raw, emotionally devastating performances delivered by its core cast. As of December 23, 2025, the original voice actors remain the definitive faces and voices of the franchise's most beloved and polarizing characters, securing their legacy through groundbreaking motion-capture technology in both The Last of Us Part I and its sequel, The Last of Us Part II.

This article dives deep into the full, updated roster of the legendary performers who brought the post-apocalyptic world of Naughty Dog’s masterpiece to life, from the iconic duo of Joel and Ellie to the controversial addition of Abby, and includes a respectful remembrance of a beloved core cast member we recently lost.

The Definitive Voice Actors: A Complete Cast & Character List

The success of the The Last of Us series is inextricably linked to its cast, who performed both the voice acting and the motion capture, giving the characters an unprecedented level of realism and emotional depth. Here is the comprehensive profile of the main cast across both major video game installments.

  • Troy Baker as Joel Miller:
    • Role: Main protagonist of The Last of Us Part I and a pivotal character in Part II.
    • Biography: A prolific voice actor, known for roles like Booker DeWitt (BioShock Infinite) and Sam Drake (Uncharted 4). His performance as Joel earned critical acclaim for its complexity and emotional range.
    • Recent Updates: Baker has continued his involvement with the franchise, appearing in the HBO series as James, a member of David's group, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the world of The Last of Us.
  • Ashley Johnson as Ellie Williams:
    • Role: Main protagonist of The Last of Us Part II and co-protagonist of Part I.
    • Biography: A veteran actress since childhood, Johnson's performance as Ellie is often cited as one of the greatest in video game history. She won two BAFTA Awards for Best Performer for her work in the series.
    • Recent Updates: Johnson made a highly emotional cameo in the HBO series as Anna, Ellie's mother, a role that brought her journey full circle and was met with universal praise from the fan community.
  • Laura Bailey as Abby Anderson:
    • Role: The controversial co-protagonist of The Last of Us Part II.
    • Biography: One of the most recognizable voices in the industry, Bailey is famous for roles like Vex'ahlia (Critical Role) and Black Widow (various Marvel projects).
    • Accolades: Her performance as Abby was a masterpiece of motion capture, earning her the prestigious BAFTA Award for Best Performer in a Leading Role and The Game Award for Best Performance in 2020.
  • Annie Wersching as Tess:
    • Role: Joel’s smuggling partner and a key character in the opening of The Last of Us Part I.
    • In Memoriam: The talented actress tragically passed away in January 2023 at the age of 45 after a private battle with cancer. Her powerful, nuanced portrayal of Tess remains a cornerstone of the game's opening act.
  • Jeffrey Pierce as Tommy Miller:
    • Role: Joel’s younger brother, appearing in both Part I and Part II.
    • Recent Updates: Pierce also crossed over to the HBO adaptation, playing the new character Perry, a rebel in the Jackson community, further solidifying the original cast's presence across the franchise.

The Last of Us Part II: Expanding the Ensemble and Topical Authority

The Last of Us Part II dramatically expanded the cast, introducing a host of new characters whose complex loyalties and tragic backstories deepened the game's exploration of revenge, forgiveness, and cyclical violence. The voice actors behind these roles added significant topical authority to the franchise's narrative.

Key Supporting Cast and Their Impact

The sequel challenged players with a massive, morally gray ensemble. Characters like Dina and Jesse provided moments of light and hope, while the members of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the Seraphites complicated the traditional "good vs. evil" dynamic.

  • Shannon Woodward as Dina: Woodward delivered a heartfelt performance as Ellie’s romantic partner and confidante. Her role was critical in grounding Ellie’s journey in human connection, providing a necessary counterpoint to the escalating violence. Woodward’s work on the character earned her high praise, including a BAFTA nomination for Performer in a Supporting Role.
  • Stephen A. Chang as Jesse: Jesse, Dina’s former partner and a loyal friend to Ellie, was brought to life by Stephen A. Chang. His character offered a pragmatic and often humorous perspective, acting as a moral compass in the dark narrative.
  • Merle Dandridge as Marlene: Dandridge is unique in that she is the only actor to play the same character—Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies—in both the original video game and the HBO live-action series. This continuity is a testament to her definitive portrayal.
  • Derek Phillips as Jerry Anderson: Although a minor role, Derek Phillips’ portrayal of Abby’s father, Jerry, is the catalyst for the entire plot of Part II. His brief, emotional scenes are central to understanding Abby’s motivation and the game's themes of loss and retribution.

The Legacy of Motion Capture and Future Casting Rumors

The success of the The Last of Us video game cast goes beyond mere voice acting. Naughty Dog pioneered the use of full-performance capture, where actors' facial expressions, body language, and voices are recorded simultaneously. This technique is why the performances of Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson feel so visceral and real, setting a new standard for narrative-driven video games.

The Art of Performance Capture

The motion capture process is what allows the audience to truly connect with the characters. For instance, Laura Bailey’s highly physical performance as Abby, which involved extensive training to capture the character’s muscular physique and intense combat style, would not have been possible without this technology. This fusion of acting and technology is a core entity of the franchise's unique appeal.

What We Know About The Last of Us Part III Casting

While Naughty Dog and Neil Druckmann have been characteristically tight-lipped about the development and plot of a potential The Last of Us Part III, recent industry rumors suggest that the next installment will introduce a new set of primary characters.

Reports hint at a new group of survivors with their own internal drama, potentially shifting the focus away from the established characters like Ellie and Abby, or at least sharing the spotlight. This rumored casting shift indicates Naughty Dog’s commitment to expanding the narrative scope of the universe, rather than simply continuing the story of the existing cast. Fans are eagerly awaiting official announcements, but the introduction of fresh voices and faces is a strong possibility for the future of the series.

The Enduring Impact of the Original Cast

The original the last of us video game cast, particularly Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, set an impossibly high bar for emotional storytelling in the medium. Their intense chemistry and years of dedication to their roles as Joel Miller and Ellie Williams created a bond that resonates with millions of players worldwide. Even with the introduction of new characters like Abby Anderson, the core emotional weight of the series rests on the shoulders of these pioneering voice actors.

The cast's enduring legacy is evident in their recurring presence across franchise media, including the HBO adaptation. Whether it's the heartbreaking final scene of Part I or the brutal, morally ambiguous confrontations of Part II, the incredible performances of this ensemble cast ensure that The Last of Us will be studied as a masterclass in video game acting for decades to come.

the last of us video game cast
the last of us video game cast

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