Summary
- Season 2 of The Last of Us approaches, revealing Joel and Ellie’s fate in Jackson.
- Newcomer Abby Anderson’s arc will be featured, though it does not follow the game’s storyline exactly.
- Bella Ramsey coped with dark scenes in season 2 by listening to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time.”
It’s almost time when The Last of Us fans can let out the breath that they’ve been holding in since season one of the HBO series ended, as season 2’s release sneaks over the horizon. As all eyes are on the main characters, including newcomer Abby Anderson, Bella Ramsey recalls having to partake in a strange coping mechanism to help them get through some of the returning season’s most dire and bleakest moments.
The Last of Us season 2’s big reveal is only just over a month away, and fans will finally get to witness how Joel and Ellie have been faring since they arrived in Jackson and the aftermath of season one’s cliffhanger. There’s also the excitement surrounding Abby Anderson (played by Kaitlyn Dever) and how her arc will fit into season 2, but whichever way Druckmann and Mazin have decided to adapt Naughty Dog’s game, The Last of Us Part 2, it certainly won’t be a wholesome outcome for anyone. Viewers do know, however, that season 2 of The Last of Us‘ timeline will not follow the exact layout of the game, even though it has stayed mostly faithful to the first game in season one. As the countdown to its return is now well underway, Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, opens up about how they deal with season 2’s “darkest scenes”.
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Bella Ramsey Opens up About Method To Cope With Season 2’s ”Darkest Scene”
HBO’s The Last of Us co-showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann talked with Variety to discuss the upcoming season, as well as how they had found peace with telling a “different story” from the game. In between conversations about how making Season 2 was a far more daunting endeavor and how Druckmann didn’t want the series to become “comfort food” for viewers as it was very far from comfortable, Bella Ramsey’s coping mechanism with season 2’s “darkest scenes” became an interesting topic.
Although it wasn’t made clear exactly what dark scene Bella was referring to, for anyone who has played The Last of Us Part 2, it goes without saying that that scene with Joel is very likely what they are referencing. So that Bella didn’t become overwhelmed by the weight of what they had to perform as Ellie, Bella said that they listened to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time,” a classic of the early internet, on a loop. “I was on the floor, my eyes absolutely burning with these menthol tears, and I’m just saying, ‘Peanut Butter Jelllll-y.’ You’ll probably be able to tell which one that is when you watch it.”
“I’m scared of some of the bigger emotional scenes, leaving not satisfied with my performance. To cope, before the really dark scenes, I try to make myself as light and energetic as possible.”
It was also revealed that Eugene, a character from The Last of Us Part 2, would be introduced to the show and played by actor Joe Pantoliano. Eugene was only ever spoken about by Ellie and Dina, mostly when the pair found his secret basement filled with “goodies”. “I get excited when I see these opportunities,” Druckmann stated. “I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t know Eugene that well!’ The story we told [in the game] was somewhat superficial. The way this character comes in really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie and their relationship.”
The Last of Us season 2 will be released via HBO on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
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The Last Of Us
- Release Date
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January 15, 2023
- Network
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HBO Max
- Showrunner
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Craig Mazin
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Bella Ramsey
Ellie Williams
Source: Variety