The highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us has added Emmy-nominated actor Young Mazino to its cast. Mazino, recognized for his role in the Netflix series Beef, will portray the character Jesse, a significant figure from the original video game.
Jesse is described as “a pillar of his community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost.” This addition marks a continued expansion of the show’s ensemble, following the recent casting of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby.
The series’ co-creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, expressed their enthusiasm for Mazino’s involvement. “Young is one of those rare actors who is immediately undeniable the moment you see him,” they said. “We’re so lucky to have him, and we can’t wait for the audience to see Young shine in our show.”
Mazino’s performance in Beef as Paul Cho earned him an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. His other television roles include appearances in Blue Bloods, Prodigal Son, and New Amsterdam.
The Last of Us, based on the acclaimed video game, follows the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), navigating a post-apocalyptic world. The first season received critical acclaim and multiple awards nominations, including three Golden Globe nominations and 25 Emmy nominations, winning eight at the Creative Arts Emmys.
The second season of The Last of Us is set to follow the storyline of The Last of Us Part II video game, focusing on an 18-year-old Ellie and her life following the events of Part 1. Stephen Chang has voiced Jesse in the original video game.
Read More: ‘The Last Of Us Part II’ actor Stephen Chang discusses playing Asian character Jesse
Filming for the new season is expected to commence soon in Canada, with a slated release in 2025.
Beef also achieved a historic victory at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards, marking a significant milestone for Asian American representation in the entertainment industry.
Read More: Golden Globes: Ali Wong & Steven Yeun Make History With ‘Beef’ Wins
The show, starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, won the award for Best Television Limited Series, becoming the first series created by and starring Asian Americans to win in this category. Wong and Yeun won Best Actress and Best Actor respectively.
