The second season of The Last of Us is set to arrive in the next two weeks. The Pedro Pascal-Bella Ramsey-starrer show centred around their relationship in a world infected by a mass fungal infection that transforms humans into zombie-like creatures has increased the popularity of the two actors across the globe.
For Pedro Pascal, who has continued to stay in the limelight following his performance in the series as well as his work in Gladiator II, said that the post-apolcalyptic drama created a new chapter in his life.
"This job definitely created a new chapter in my life in a profound way because of the personal experience I had making the show, and then, of course, the way the show was received," Pascal said during a virtual press conference.
The actor admitted that the show is also being received well across the world and creating a large impact. "It is received in a way that is in measure with how deeply important it means to all of us, is a rare thing," he added.
The actor also played a notable role as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones. Speaking about the five-year time jump between the first and second season where Ramsey is estranged with Pascal, he said that it was a beautiful setup by the creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. "There’s incredibly painful distance between the two of them and the playing of the scene, but we still got to be on set and fuck around and laugh and stuff like that. And that was incredibly comforting, that was like coming home," he said.
He also acknowledged that this role was unique from the rest of his characters. Pascal said that it was hard for him to separate what the characters felt and how it made him feel. "It isn't very healthy. And so I kind of feel their pain," he said.
When asked about Pascal's closeness and protectiveness over Ellie, he said, "I’m protective of the people that I love, and I think that that’s probably the main component that I relate to."
In the upcoming season, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reprise their roles as Joel and Ellie. The official plotline reads, "After five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie’s collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind."
The Last of Us Season 2 will pick up with Joel and Ellie who are living with Joel’s brother Tommy on their commune in Montana. The next season will adapt the second game in the series, The Last of Us Part 2.
Apart from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay, the new cast members include Kaityln Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazine as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, and Tati Gabrielle as Nora. Catherine O'Hara is also set to guest star. Returning alongside Pascal and Ramsey are Gabriel Luna as Joel’s brother Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Tommy’s wife Maria.
The Last of Us season 2 is set to premiere on JioHotstar on April 14 in India.