Game of Thrones' breakout stars, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, have been tapped to portray the leads in the TV adaptation of The Last of Us. Pascal, who is now a household name for his role as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian, played Prince Oberyn Martell in season 4 of the HBO epic fantasy series. Ramsey's stint on Game of Thrones was a bit longer as the young actress appeared in three seasons as Lyanna Mormont. Both actors will soon return to HBO for the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of PlayStation's beloved game in the roles of Joel and Ellie. Not only is it wise to hire two of Game of Thrones' fan-favorites, but the casting for the two leads is spot-on.
Released in 2013, The Last of Us follows Joel, a smuggler in the post-apocalyptic United States enlisted to escort a teenage girl named Ellie across the country. Joel and Ellie, who are initially strangers, spend their journey getting to know one another while trying to survive the high stakes trip. Aside from fellow survivors, Joel and Ellie are tasked with defending themselves against cannibalistic humans that fell victim to a mutated fungus. The award-winning action-adventure game almost received the film adaptation treatment in 2014. After years of stalled development, HBO announced a TV series was in the early stages of development before greenlighting the series in late 2020.
Interestingly, Game of Thrones actors have been attached to the roles of Joel and Ellie for years. Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark in the series, previously expressed interest in playing Ellie, whereas fans of the game hoped her co-star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau would portray Joel. Instead, HBO went with two fellow Game of Thrones alums in Pascal and Ramsey. Both actors emerged as breakout stars in their respective roles despite being supporting characters. Pascal's charisma as Oberyn transformed the figure into a scene-stealer during his seven-episode arc. Ramsey was one of the youngest actresses in the HBO series, but she held her own as the head of House Mormont. In addition to being one of the most loyal allies to House Stark, Lyanna received one of the most heroic death in the series. Pascal and Ramsey's arcs may have been shorter than viewers had hoped, but HBO now has a chance to the spotlight back on the stars.
Why Pedro Pascal & Bella Ramsey Are Good Fits To Lead The Last Of Us
Pascal has been a star on the rise as of late. Aside from playing the titular figure in The Mandalorian, Pascal starred in Wonder Woman 1984 and We Can Be Heroes to close out 2020. Joel is a bit rough around the edges with a hardened demeanor after a tragic loss. He eventually turns into a father figure to Ellie, which Pascal has showcased on-screen with his past roles as a loyal protector. Pascal is surely capable of taking on parts that rely on hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. Both will be necessary to bring Joel to life, seeing as the man will be tasked with facing off against hostile humans and deadly creatures.
Of course, Ramsey hasn't had the same level of experience compared to her co-star in The Last of Us. That said, her performance as Lyana was convincing enough to prove that she could portray the young teen. Ellie is a complex character, but she certainly doesn't end up being a damsel-in-distress. Like Lyanna in Game of Thrones, Ellie is a brave fighter who puts it all on the line to assist her allies. The actress has shown that she can play an often underestimated figure before showcasing her strength and strong-willed personality. Forming a pair like Pascal and Ramsey already seems like a major win for HBO.