HBO’s The Last of Us season 2 will be based on The Last of Us Part II which means an expansion of the show’s cast via some incredibly exciting characters. For the most part, HBO’s The Last of Us season 1’s timeline made minimal changes to the game on which it is based. Aside from a few original characters and other slight alterations to make the video game story translate better to the medium of TV, the majority of important aspects of The Last of Us Part I remained intact for HBO’s adaptation.

Since the ending of The Last of Us season 1, much of the discussion has turned to how the second game will be adapted given its much wider scope, longer story, and inherently more emotional journey. From splitting the second gameinto multiple seasons to navigating the time jump after season 1, these changes may make The Last of Us season 2 a different show entirely in concept. However, despite many of these changes having to be made for HBO’s The Last of Us season 2 to translate the source material, one thing that will almost certainly remain the same is the overwhelmingly exciting cast of new characters involved.

7 The Last Of Us Part II’s Abby Anderson

The Vengeful Daughter Of The Last Of Us’ Firefly Surgeon

Perhaps the most exciting character to be included in The Last of Us season 2 from the second game is Abby Anderson. Abby is introduced as a person consumed with revenge at the onset of the second game. As is revealed later in the story, Abby is the daughter of the Firefly surgeon Joel murdered at the end of The Last of Us Part I which causes her to seek justice for his death.

Interestingly, The Last of Us Part II presents Abby’s revenge story from a protagonist’s point of view despite the subject of her vengeance being Joel, the lead character of the first game. This makes her inclusion in HBO’s The Last of Us incredibly exciting as it is intriguing to see how writers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann will translate this story effectively. Similarly, The Last of Us season 1, episode 9 lingered on a shot of the dead Firefly surgeon, effectively building anticipation for Abby’s inclusion in the future for those familiar with the games.

6 The Last Of Us Part II’s Dina

The Caring Girlfriend Of The Last Of Us’ Ellie

Another of the more central characters to The Last of Us Part II‘s story that makes anticipation for The Last of Us season 2 grow is Dina. In the second game, Dina is the girlfriend of Ellie. Interestingly, The Last of Us season 1 included an Easter egg to Dina’s character. In The Last of Us season 1, episode 6, a young girl can be spotted staring at Ellie as the latter eats in the canteen at Jackson. This prompts an angry outburst from Ellie before the girl quickly scurries away.

In HBO’s podcast with showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, it is strongly hinted that this character was Dina whose story in The Last of Us Part II confirms a similar meeting between the two characters. This Easter egg naturally builds excitement for Dina’s character to be included in The Last of Us season 2 as does the promise of her story. Not only is Dina important to Ellie’s character arc, but she has a compelling story in her own right and provides a dose of representation by being one half of an LGBTQ+ relationship between her and Ellie.

5 The Last Of Us Part II’s Jesse

The Loyal Friend Of Ellie & Dina In The Last Of Us Part II

One of the more easily likable characters in The Last of Us Part II is Jesse. Jesse is the ex-boyfriend of Dina and a friend of Ellie’s who aids the latter two in their quest across the post-apocalyptic United States. Jesse’s inclusion in The Last of Us season 2 is exciting primarily due to the impact he has on the story of the second game.

While serving as a likable, heroic character who subverts stereotypes by being friendly to Ellie who is now dating his ex, Jesse also has a great deal of emotional impact on the story. In being caught up in the cycle of revenge that consumes the two main characters of The Last of Us Part II, Jesse works as a tragic, cautionary tale of engaging in such a cycle. For these reasons, his all-but-guaranteed appearance in The Last of Us season 2 is highly exciting.

4 The Last Of Us Part II’s Owen Moore

The Good-Natured Ally Of The Last Of Us’ Abby Anderson

The Last of Us Part II‘s story is predominantly split between two different groups: Ellie’s and Abby’s. One of the core characters of the latter is Owen Moore, Abby’s ex who is essentially the mirror character of Jesse. By being a character involved in relationship drama and other angsty aspects, Owen initially comes across as a stereotypical, unlikeable guy. That said, Owen’s character arc makes for one of the best in The Last of Us Part II and, hopefully, The Last of Us season 2.

Owen is slowly revealed to be an incredibly caring person whose heart is always in the right place. While he makes mistakes, these aspects only make him more human in a world like The Last of Us which is filled with both human and inhuman characters be it the survivors of the Cordyceps disease or those who have succumbed to it. Not only this, but Owen’s impact on Abby’s story and character is equal parts tragic, heartwarming, and entirely emotionally resonant which makes his almost certain inclusion in The Last of Us season 2 extra exciting.

3 The Last Of Us Part II’s Mel

The Headstrong, Kind Girlfriend Of The Last Of Us’ Owen Moore

One of the smaller but no less impactful characters of The Last of Us Part II is Mel, the pregnant girlfriend of Owen. Through her relationship to Owen, Mel’s connection with Abby is strained at best. However, the trio undergoes the events of The Last of Us Part II together which reflects well on Mel, Owen, and Abby as characters. What is most exciting about Mel’s inclusion in The Last of Us season 2 though, is how her story ties to that of Ellie’s which sells the morally gray, incredibly challenging albeit satisfying story of the dangerous cycle of revenge.

2 The Last Of Us Part II’s Yara

The Conflicted Former Religious Zealout Who Befriends The Last Of Us’ Abby

Throughout The Last of Us Part II, there are three main factions at play. Ellie and her group are one, Abby and her friends are another, and a religious cult named the Seraphites is the last. The Seraphites openly oppose Abby’s group and are depicted as dangerous enemies to encounter until the appearance of Yara. Yara is introduced as someone who has abandoned the Seraphites in support of her younger brother who befriends Abby in the process.

Not only is Yara’s story vital in the deeper exploration of Abby’s personality and morals, but she also has her own strong connections and character arc through her family. Similarly, Yara offers an insight into the Seraphites in an intriguing way meaning she will be important to the world-building of The Last of Us season 2. Perhaps the most exciting aspect that will stem from Yara’s The Last of Us season 2 story is the introduction of Lev, one of The Last of Us Part II‘s most compelling characters.

1 The Last Of Us Part II’s Lev

The Open-Minded, Understanding Younger Brother Of The Last Of Us’ Yara

Lev’s journey in The Last of Us Part II is undoubtedly one of the more intriguing in the entire game. From the same benefits Yara brings such as fleshing out the world of the Seraphites to his familial relationships that are suitably heartbreaking, Lev’s emotional arc is one of the core components of The Last of Us Part II‘s story. The main way this is done is through his connection to Abby which is easily one of the more compelling duos in the entire Last of Us universe and helps to sell the difficult, challenging themes of The Last of Us Part II’s story.

Another exciting element of Lev’s character that will be excellent to see in The Last of Us season 2 is the exploration of gender identity. Much of The Last of Us – both the first game and first season – was largely absent from most explorations of gender identity, something rectified in the second installment through Lev. In doing so, the world of The Last of Us becomes more inclusive while also tying the story element to the most important part of the franchise: the emotional development of its characters.