Jeffrey Wright Joins HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, Reprising the Role of Isaac
Jeffrey Wright is set to appear in the second instalment of HBO’s The Last of Us.
The 58-year-old American actor will reprise his role as Isaac, adapted from the video game’s sequel. The character is described as “the quietly powerful leader of a large militia group (Washington Liberation Front) who sought liberty but instead has become mired in an endless war against a surprisingly resourceful enemy.”
But…we already guessed that he’ll be making an appearance!
If you’ll remember, Wright hinted at the possibility earlier in February, saying “Anything is possible. We shall see.”
Considering he’s dominating this awards season and looks about the same age as Isaac, the decision to cast him was a no-brainer.
He recently received his first Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in the Cord Jefferson-directed American Fiction, a comedy-drama about our culture’s obsession with outrageous stereotypes.
He has also received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Tony Award for his work.
Wright will appear in the drama alongside stars who previously dazzled viewers of the series. This includes Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, among others.
Other major additions include the Last Man Standing actress Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, “a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved.” The series will also feature Isabela Merced as Dina, “a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit.”
Fans of the series can also expect to see Beef star Young Mazino, How to Blow Up a Pipeline actress Ariela Barer, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier show-stopper Danny Ramirez, Riverdale actor Spencer Lord, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Tati Gabrielle. Catherine O’Hara is also joining the cast.
The Last of Us is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, Studio Head and Head of Creative at Naughty Dog.
The post-apocalyptic drama is a co-production between HBO and Sony Pictures Television. The 2023 drama is backed by a talented team that has the likes of Asad Qizilbash, Carolyn Strauss, Carter Swan, Cecil O’Connor, Evan Wells, and Jacqueline Lesko in its ranks.
The series’ second season began production in February 2024. It’s expected to debut sometime in 2025. Best of all, there may be more seasons in store!
“Our plan is to do it not just for one more season,” Mazin shared in an hour-long panel interview at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. “We should be around for a while,” he said.
“Even though we were greenlit for a season of television, Neil and I felt like we can’t just make a season of television without considering what would come after. There is more The Last of Us to come. And I think the balance is not always just about within an episode or even episode to episode but season to season,” he told IndieWire.
