Though The Last of Us’ status as a “zombie apocalypse” could be debated, the franchise highlight of both PlayStation and HBO’s libraries does have a tendency to wake the dead. Season 3’s production will certainly prompt those feelings, as two new actors have been added to the fray; with Insidious star Patrick Wilson being one of them. Between his new role, and the identity of today’s other addition, the dearly departed are rejoining the land of the living – and in two very different ways.
Patrick Wilson Joins The Last Of Us…Which Could Bring Us Back To An Important Season 1 Moment
Today’s news seems to be all about the dead coming back with new faces. With Deadline’s big announcement placing The Conjuring vet in the role of Jerry Anderson – deceased father to Abby (Katilyn Dever). Fans of The Last of Us Part II understand why that’s a big deal; as Jerry’s death is the source of this Naughty Dog antagonist’s quest for revenge.
That battle led to the infamous “Joel in One” kill, which took Pedro Pascal’s series co-lead out in the early hours of the second season. It also set the stage for The Last of Us: Part II’s major feud between Abby and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in this slowly rebuilding post-apocalyptic world. Seeing as Joel was the one to punch Jerry’s ticket to the Great Beyond, during his rescue effort to save Ellie in the Season 1 finale, that grudge is understandable.
However, that also sets the expectation for The Last Of Us Season 3 flashbacks to Kaitlyn Dever and Patrick Wilson’s past adventures that totally happened in the past. As the obvious endpoint of his role will be the hospital shootout at the end of The Last of Us’ first chapter, we’ll probably be revisiting that set piece from a different angle. With the big question being, will Pedro Pascal be asked to reshoot that scene from a different angle; or will digital effects retcon this moment?
Jason Ritter Returns For The Last Of Us Season 3 (No, Seriously)
You have to love Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter’s marriage, and how it leads to some beautiful castings. More recently Ritter’s previous gig on Matlock saw Lynskey’s wishes to become a part of the CBS mystery’s cast saw her play a guest role in an early Season 2 episode. However, before that actually happened, Jason Ritter saw himself tagging in with his wife for The Last of Us Season 1 – as an uncredited Clicker.
Apparently his performance in the episode “Endure and Survive” made enough of an impression to land Jason Ritter a character with a name in Season 3! One of the stars of fellow HBO series Lanterns, Ritter will be playing Hanley – a soldier in the Washington Liberation Front. That’s all we’ve got to go on at the moment, other than Hanley will be a recurring presence in The Last of Us Season 3. Then again, with Abby’s dad leading us back into flashback land, could this new figure actually be the human side to the actor’s previous series role?
The continuing (and maybe concluding?) adventures of The Last of Us are currently in production, with an intended debut penciled in for some point in 2027. Those of you looking for a refresher course should head to HBO Max; as that platform is home base for both previous seasons, no matter what faction you’re affiliated with. And as always, for all of the latest and greatest news in Pop Culture, keep a tab open to THS’ TV News archives – as this road of survival will unfold through updates in that very place.
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