We’ve been asking for it for some time now, and finally, a The Last of Us TV show is in development at none other than HBO.
With TLoU creative director Neil Druckmann and Chernobyl‘s Craig Mazin at the helm, things are looking up for what will, hopefully, be a successful Naughty Dog video game TV adaptation.
As we know that the TV show will take place during the first game, and a bit during the second game, we have a decently clear picture of how the show will play out.
Whether or not certain segments, such as the controversial David sequence, will make their way into the HBO adaptation is up for debate, but if Game of Thrones sets any precedent, it’s that the WarnerMedia Entertainment company won’t shy away from the guts and gore of it all.
It’s important that the cast is absolutely perfect, and thankfully, there are some hot contenders for the top billing.
It will take a pretty special actress to take on the role of Ellie, as she is arguably the most transformative character in The Last of Us series.
Playing Joel is a tall order as well, with this blue-collar dad-turned-mercenary facing some intense hardships right from the get-go.
With that in mind, here is our prospective The Last of Us TV show cast list for the small-screen adaptation.
Ideas for ‘The Last of Us’ TV show cast
Joel
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman is a top pick for Joel by many TLoU fans. He has the range and the eternal youthfulness that Joel requires (especially considering the 20-year time jump at the start of the game), and is able to fully become any role that he undertakes.
Jackman has proved his chops at selling believable characters, as his Golden Globe-winning performance in Les Misérables as Jean Valjean proves. Plus, Jackman can sing! And, with any luck, we’ll finally get to hear Joel strum away on his guitar, especially if Jackman plays the protagonist.
Troy Baker
Baker is the voice actor for Joel in the video game, but if you met him, you’d never know it. He is one of the most dynamic voice acting talents in the business, as his range includes roles such as the Joker in Batman: Arkham Origins and Sam Drake in the Uncharted series.
As The Last of Us utilizes motion caption technology, Baker has already proved that he is capable of portraying Joel in every facet. Why look any further than the man who already played the game’s protagonist?
Nathan Fillion
Fillion is the Nathan Drake that the struggling Uncharted silver screen adaptation should have had (nothing against you, Mr. Holland, but a young Drake story is a lot less interesting than an adult one).
While Fillion would have made a better Nathan Drake than a Joel, he is still a big fan of Naughty Dog, and likely wouldn’t shy away from starring in the developer’s first small-screen adaptation. He is known for his work in sci-fi and fantasy series such as Firefly and Serenity, making him right at home in TLoU world.
Ellie
Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever has the perfect look for a The Last of Us TV show Ellie actress. She has the freckles, a small round face, and looks the proper age to play a 14-year-old. Not to mention the major accomplishment of her Golden Globe Award nom for Best Actress in a Mini-Series in Netflix’s Unbelievable.
She recently wrapped on Tim Allen’s Last Man Standing, giving her just enough living room recognization to justify the casting. (Although, this is HBO after all, and it’s not as if they always follow casting standards.)
Ashley Johnson
Johnson brings Ellie to life in her motion-capture performance of the teen in TLoU games. If Baker is cast as Joel, we might as well go all the way with Johnson as Ellie. Her and Baker have incredible chemistry, but Johnson’s performance shines the most when Ellie is out on her own in the bleak winter sequence.
Johnson brings a raw energy to the role of Ellie, and while she may be a bit older than the video game Ellie, it wouldn’t hurt to age up the character into her 20s in order to attach Johnson to the project. It’s worth writing the role around Johnson if age ends up being a final deciding factor in casting Ellie.
Related: The Last of Us is the choose-your-own-adventure game you didn’t know you played
Maisie Williams
Game of Thrones alum Williams is a safe bet for a “young woman on a murderous rampage seeking revenge over lost loved ones” sort of role. Her star power alone is a major sell for casting Williams, as are her acting chops.
Williams would take the role of Ellie and fully transform into the Boston teen. She has the look, and Williams may be a top contender for the role of Ellie in The Last of Us TV show.
‘The Last of Us’ TV show cast side characters
Here are our top picks for the roles of the side characters in Ellie and Joel’s epic cross-country story.
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