It’s safe to say that The Last of Us has earned its spot as one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming, and now, on television. Whether you fell in love with Joel and Ellie’s journey while gripping a controller or through the stunning visuals of the HBO series, there’s no denying the magic lies in the characters. But magic like that doesn’t just happen; it’s the result of incredible performances by the cast that brought these beloved characters to life in both the game and the series. From Troy Baker’s unforgettable voice acting as Joel in the game to Pedro Pascal’s powerful live-action portrayal in the series, these characters have been reimagined and redefined across media. So, how does the cast of The Last of Us game stack up against its live-action counterparts in the HBO series? Let’s dive into a side-by-side exploration, because fans like us can never get enough.
- Everyone has a story to tell.
1. Cast of The Last of Us: Joel: Troy Baker (Game) vs. Pedro Pascal (Series)
Joel Miller is no ordinary protagonist. He’s a survivor, a father haunted by loss, and a man whose moral compass often teeters on the edge. Bringing such a layered character to life is no easy task, and yet both Troy Baker in the game and Pedro Pascal in the series made Joel unforgettable for fans.
- Troy Baker, as an Iconic voice actor, gave Joel emotional depth.
Troy Baker didn’t just lend his voice to Joel; he became him. Through motion capture and voice acting, Baker gave Joel a grizzled yet emotionally raw presence that carried every dialogue exchange, every scream, and every moment of quiet reflection. His performance made us feel Joel’s grief, his hesitation, and his unrelenting love for Ellie.
Now, enter Pedro Pascal as a member of the cast of The Last of Us series. If you watched the HBO series, you know exactly why Pascal was chosen to take Joel to the small screen. While retaining the emotional weight of the character, Pascal brought warmth and vulnerability to live-action Joel. His portrayal perfectly balanced Joel’s fatherly instincts with an underlying brutality that reminded us just how much he’s lost and what he’s willing to sacrifice to protect what remains.
Both actors left their mark on Joel in ways that resonate deeply with audiences, proving that despite differences in execution, the heart of Joel’s character remains intact.
2. Ellie: Ashley Johnson (Game) vs. Bella Ramsey (Series)
Ellie is the heart of The Last of Us. She’s bold, funny, and deeply human, traits that needed the right performers to shine through. In the game, Ashley Johnson set the bar impossibly high, while Bella Ramsey brought their own unique brilliance to the role in the series.
- The true best voice actor to portray Ellie in the game.
Ashley Johnson’s portrayal of Ellie in the game is nothing short of iconic. Through voice acting and motion capture, Johnson gave Ellie her vibrancy: a snarky sense of humor mixed with vulnerability and strength. Every sarcastic jab and every heartbreaking cry felt real. She made Ellie feel alive, like someone you wanted to protect, but also root for as she learned to protect herself.
Bella Ramsey, who is a part of the cast of The Last of Us series, faced the challenge of stepping into Ellie’s well-loved shoes, and they crushed it. Ramsey brought a live-action vulnerability to Ellie that felt natural yet raw. Their version of Ellie leans a little more unpolished, but that only made the character’s struggles feel more authentic. Whether quipping about puns or breaking down after unimaginable grief, Ramsey’s Ellie is someone who feels like flesh and blood in a world that’s crumbling.
Both Ellies shine, but what we love most is how they emphasize different facets of the same core character: a girl trying to navigate what it means to survive.
3. Tess: Annie Wersching (Game) vs. Anna Torv (Series)
Tess might not have as much screen time as Joel or Ellie, but her impact on the story and on Joel is undeniable. Portrayed by Annie Wersching in the game and Anna Torv in the series, Tess represents strength, sacrifice, and trust in a world with little of either.
- A true friend and companion of Joel.
Annie Wersching’s Tess performance in the game was commanding and powerful. She gave Tess a pragmatic edge without losing sight of her underlying humanity. As Joel’s partner and moral compass, she brought a sense of emotional weight to their dynamic, making her ultimate fate even more heartbreaking.
Anna Torv, who is in the cast of The Last of Us live-action, brought a quieter intensity to Tess. Her performance felt a shade softer but still carried Tess’s steadfast devotion to the mission and her ability to mask pain with resolve. Torv’s portrayal made Tess’s final moments especially gut-wrenching, as we saw the cracks in her stoic exterior when she urged Joel to take Ellie and keep fighting for something greater.
4. Marlene: Merle Dandridge in Both Media
How often does an actor perfectly embody their character across two completely different media? Merle Dandridge, who brought Marlene to life in both the game and the HBO series, nailed it every time.
- The first leader of the Fireflies.
As the leader of the Fireflies, Marlene represents a mix of hope and desperation. Dandridge’s portrayal of Marlene in the game delivered strength while grappling with impossible decisions, like sacrificing Ellie for the greater good. Her calm demeanor carried an undercurrent of vulnerability that made her feel believably human.
In the series, Dandridge reprised the role with even more conviction. Seeing her in live action added layers to the struggle Marlene faced as she tried to balance her loyalty to Ellie with her duty to humanity. It was a rare treat for fans to see an actor stay consistent across the series and the game, bridging the gap between the two worlds seamlessly.
5. Sarah: Hana Hayes (Game) vs. Nico Parker (Series)
Even though Sarah’s time in The Last of Us is tragically short, her role shapes Joel’s character and, by extension, the entire narrative.
- Hana Hayes gave Sarah the soul she needed.
Hana Hayes, a member of the cast of The Last of Us video game, voiced Sarah, bringing warmth and innocence to Joel’s daughter. Her portrayal captured Sarah’s youthfulness and her loving bond with Joel, making her death in the prologue all the more devastating.
In the HBO series, Nico Parker brought Sarah to life with gentle grace. Offering more screen time, Parker gave us moments that highlighted Sarah’s curiosity, humor, and compassion. Her performance added even more depth to Sarah’s bond with Joel, making the heartbreak of her loss hit like a gut punch all over again.
6. Supporting Characters: Bill, Tommy, Henry, and Sam
While Joel and Ellie drive the story, the supporting characters in The Last of Us leave an indelible mark on their journey.
– Bill: In the game, W. Earl Brown’s humorous yet cynical portrayal of Bill added levity to the somber narrative. Nick Offerman, in the series, expanded the character’s backstory, turning Bill’s chapter into a heartfelt love story fans are still talking about.
– Tommy: Jeffrey Pierce’s version of Tommy in the game showed Joel’s younger brother as both loyal and optimistic. Gabriel Luna’s live-action portrayal brought more emotional depth to Tommy’s growth as a survivor trying to balance family and morality.
– Henry and Sam: These characters are heartbreak personified. Their story hits hard in both the game and the series, but the live-action adaptation’s nuanced performances added even more complexity to their tragic arc.
7. Behind-the-Scenes Nods to the Game’s Voice Actors
Did you catch the cameos from the game’s original voice cast in the series? HBO’s adaptation gave fans a delightful nod by inviting the original actors to play new roles, as members of the cast of The Last of Us series.
– Troy Baker (the game’s Joel) appears as James, a member of David’s tragic group.
– Ashley Johnson (the game’s Ellie) portrays Ellie’s mother, Anna, adding an emotional tie to Johnson’s legacy.
– Jeffrey Pierce (the game’s Tommy) steps into the role of Perry, adding gravitas to the Kansas City resistance storyline.
These moments feel like a love letter to fans of the original game, showing how the heartbeat of The Last of Us remains connected across both mediums.
- Ellie captured her sass, fear, and growth perfectly.
In the End: Two Worlds, One Phenomenal Cast
The cast of The Last of Us is a testament to what brilliant performances can do for storytelling. Whether it’s Troy Baker’s voice in the game or Pedro Pascal’s live-action gravitas, Ashley Johnson’s vulnerable Ellie, or Bella Ramsey’s fierce take, both casts have left an unmistakable mark on fans. These two media complement each other beautifully, honoring the core spirit of The Last of Us without trying to mimic one another. If anything, the performances only deepen our love for these unforgettable characters and keep us coming back to their world again and again. What’s your favorite portrayal from The Last of Us? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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FAQs
1. Why didn’t Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson reprise their roles in the HBO series?
While Baker and Johnson excel at voice and motion capture, live-action roles require a different type of physical presence. The showrunners wanted to create something unique while honoring their original performances.
2. Did the HBO series change any character arcs from the game?
Yes, the series expanded characters like Bill and Frank, giving them a richer backstory. These changes offered new emotional layers while staying true to the heart of the story.
3. How did the motion capture process shape the game’s performances?
Motion capture allowed actors like Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson to physically act out scenes, adding a cinematic quality to the game’s storytelling that set it apart from traditional voiceover.
4. Are there other actors who reprised their roles between the game and the series?
Yes! Merle Dandridge reprised her role as Marlene, seamlessly transitioning from voice acting in the game to live action in the HBO adaptation.
