The Internet Is Loving ‘The Last Of Us’ Joel And Ellie Castings

HBO has revealed who will be playing Joel and Ellie in its adaptation of The Last Of Us, and the internet is beside itself with excitement to learn that actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are on board.

"Based on the video game of the same name, the series takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed," reads the show's official synopsis. "Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival." With Chernobyl showrunner Craig Mazin and Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann writing the show together, fans are ecstatic to see the characters come to life and tell their stories to new audiences.

You'll likely know Pedro Pascal from The Mandalorian, wherein he plays the titular gruff mercenary with a heart of gold. Ticks the boxes for the personality of Joel Miller, though in this recognisable yet apocalyptic setting, there's another layer to his motivation to protect Ellie and deliver her to the Fireflies. The Mandalorian viewers are thrilled to find out that Pascal's career is going from strength to strength at light speed, and he's bound to portray those darker parts of Joel's character to a "t. A problematic fave, if you will indulge me in using a phrase from the early 2010s.

Bella Ramsey is a relative newcomer, on the other hand, but there's no denying that she has buckets of talent. It's important to remember that as much as Ellie is brave and irreverent, she is also young and reckless. If you know the story of Left Behind, the first game's DLC, you'll appreciate an actor who is able to tap into the impact of that tragedy and the walls that Ellie built to look after herself. Ramsey received acclaim for her standout performance as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and has since played Angelica in His Dark Materials. She has said in the past that she wanted to take on a role with "stunts and cool stuff like that," and it sounds like she's got her wish in The Last Of Us. Her fans are stunned that she's playing Ellie, and have shown nothing but support for the actress.

Heartwarmingly, the developers and actors involved in the original have applauded the announcements, too. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, who have played Joel and Ellie in both games, celebrated the news and are confident that the two actors will add their own uniqueness to the iconic characters. "Excellent casting, so excited for this show. Let's go," said head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst. We at GAMINGbible are also amazed by the castings, and we cannot wait to watch the show. Break a leg, you two!

Topics: News, The Last Of Us