With the second season of The Last of Us just around the corner, we had the chance to sit down with three of its stars: Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse). The conversation covered plenty of ground — from the emotional journeys their characters face, to how the show mirrors our current world, and even the mental toll that filming some of the darker scenes can take. You can watch the full interview above, and read on below for some of the standout moments. The Emmy-winning series returns for a seven-episode run, premiering exclusively on Max on April 13 in the U.S. and April 14 in Australia (same day – just that time zone difference).
The Last of Us is as much about connection as it is about survival, and the show’s upcoming season looks to be doubling down on both. We kicked things off by asking why these kinds of bleak, post-apocalyptic worlds remain so popular. For Gabriel Luna, it comes down to a kind of immersive curiosity. “It’s the same reason I watch Survivor and Naked and Afraid,” he said. “People enjoy putting themselves in our shoes and watching these types of shows.”
Isabela Merced pointed to the way the series chooses its moments. “It’s not just action to keep people entertained,” she said. “You’re following people in a story, and everything has a reason for happening.”
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Young Mazino offered a more reflective take. “People are feeling the slow boil of… maybe end-stage capitalism or something,” he said. “And there’s some kind of relish in seeing this post-apocalyptic world. It can be cathartic in some ways.”
From there, the conversation shifted to character dynamics — specifically the growing connection between Ellie and Dina. “They’re both very authentic people who aren’t preoccupied with making a mask,” Merced explained. “They can be silly and have fun and really make the most out of a situation.” It’s a relationship that fans of the game will know well, but the show promises to dig even deeper.
Luna spoke about how becoming a father has reshaped Tommy this season — especially in how he relates to Joel. “Having Benjamin helps frame up what my brother was experiencing when we lost Sarah,” he said. “It gives him purpose… but also gives him so much more to lose.” And while he didn’t give too much away, Luna hinted at some powerful emotional beats between the brothers and Tommy’s son that he’s excited for audiences to see.
We also asked Young Mazino about Jesse, who finds himself as something of a dependable rock in Jackson. But with reliability comes expectation — which isn’t always a blessing. “It could be a strength in certain situations and a tremendous weakness in others,” he said. “But… it’s like a burden that he takes willfully.” Mazino added that Jesse’s history of having nothing only fuels his commitment to the community he’s found.
Naturally, the conversation turned to the source material — the acclaimed video game that started it all. While all three actors acknowledged the importance of the game, they also made it clear that the show is carving out its own space. “The script is kind of the end-all be-all,” said Luna. “But I certainly played it to get a sense of characters and a sense of the world.” Mazino added, “There’s a great organic push and pull between the two source materials… but the black and white of the script is paramount.”
And yes — there’s action. There’s horror. And sometimes, it lingers a little longer than expected. Luna shared a vivid memory from shooting one of the season’s more intense scenes — as glimpsed in the official trailer (below). “I would close my eyes and I would see a human on fire running at me,” he said. “My wife was like, ‘Yeah baby, I think you might be traumatised.’”
To wind down, the cast leaned on music, fishing, pool — whatever helped shake off the day’s intensity. “The musical skill of the cast was definitely a retreat,” Luna said. “Just going back to the guitar or whatever… it helped.”
Whether it’s the raw emotion, the skin-crawling horror, or the quiet human moments that keep you hooked, season 2 of The Last of Us looks set to deliver another affecting chapter. And if the second game is any indication, the road ahead is going to be just as emotionally charged as it is unrelenting. Mark it down: April 14.
