Neil Druckmann on criticism over ‘The Last Of Us’ casting: We chose actors who embody the heart of these characters -EXCLUSIVE |

The Last of Us, the post-apocalyptic drama series, returns with Season 2. Debuting on April 13 with a 2-part episode release, the show has managed to build anticipation but also conversation and debate around its casting and new plot that picks up from. While HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama earned critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase with its faithful adaptation of the beloved video game series, some fans have voiced their views over the casting choices of the beloved characters, particularly when it comes to visual accuracy.
But for series co-creator and executive producer Neil Druckmann, the heart and soul of the show is more than skin deep. In a roundtable interaction attended by ETimes, Druckmann addressed the nitpicking around the lead cast featuring actors like Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced and others and the physicality of their characters depicted in the video games. “What makes these characters real isn’t just how they look,” Druckmann says, pushing back against the criticism.
He not only opened up about the casting process but also why staying true to the spirit of the story has always been more important than recreating exact replicas of the game’s characters. Druckmann admitted that introducing new faces into an already tight-knit cast was a little tricky. “We formed such a bond with Pedro, Bella, Gabe, and the rest of the cast in Season 1,” he said and added, “So when new, equally important characters come in, it’s almost like the new kid at school.”Taking note of Kaitlyn Dever—who joins Season 2 as the complex and controversial character Abby—as a perfect example of that transition going smoothly. “Kaitlyn’s so talented. I’ve known her for years, and when we cast her, we felt fairly confident she could execute Abby extremely well,” Druckmann explained. “Still, it’s a leap of faith. But the moment she stepped into a scene, you didn’t see Kaitlyn anymore—you just saw Abby. She wasn’t just a newcomer; she felt like a seasoned member of the cast from day one.”
The show creator also addressed how he and the team walked the line between staying true to the beloved video game source material while allowing actors to bring their own interpretations to the roles. He explained, “I think the best way to adapt this story is to capture its soul. This is a story about love—unconditional love—and how it can drive people to protect others selflessly or commit horrific acts in the name of the people they care about.”

While fans often debate on out how the show’s characters may or may not resemble their in-game counterparts, Druckmann said, “What matters most is whether they embody the essence of who these characters are. That’s what makes the story resonate, no matter who’s playing the role.”
Based on The Last of Us Part II, the second season is set to dive deeper into emotional territory and explore darker, more personal conflicts in the 7-part series that will culminate with a season finale dropping on Sunday, May 25.