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Here's the cast of HBO's buzzy video-game adaptation of 'The Last of Us' and who they're playing

Here's the cast of HBO's buzzy video-game adaptation of 'The Last of Us' and who they're playing
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star as Joel and Ellie in "The Last of Us."Steve Granitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images
  • "The Last of Us," based on the hit PlayStation game, premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday night.
  • The apocalyptic series stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Storm Reid, Gabriel Luna, and Anna Torv.

Pedro Pascal plays the series' protagonist Joel Miller.

Pedro Pascal plays the series
Pedro Pascal at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how his character, Joel, appears on the show and in the video game.      Steve Granitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Joel's a contractor until an apocalyptic event alters his life drastically. Twenty years later, Joel lives out his days as a smuggler.

On the pilot, he's tasked with taking a young girl, Ellie, across the country to a group, the Fireflies, in order to find a cure for a fungus that's been turning people into creatures for two decades.

Nico Parker plays Joel's daughter, Sarah.

Nico Parker plays Joel
Nico Parker at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how her character, Sarah, appears on the show and in the video game.      Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images HBO, Naughty Dog

Sarah is a young girl in school before the apocalypse. Joel refers to her as his baby girl.

Gabriel Luna plays Joel's younger brother, Tommy.

Gabriel Luna plays Joel
Gabriel Luna at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how his character, Tommy, appears on the show and in the video game.      Steve Granitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Tommy's a former soldier. Before the world falls, he and Joel work together in Texas.

Anna Torv plays Joel's partner, Tess.

Anna Torv plays Joel
Anna Torv on the left versus how her character, Tess, appears in "The Last of Us" series and in the video game.      Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

A no-nonsense survivor, Tess decides to help Joel smuggle Ellie to the Fireflies.

In the game, their relationship is a bit vague. Here, it's clearer that the two are partners.

Bella Ramsey plays Ellie, a young girl who's surprisingly immune to the Cordyceps infection.

Bella Ramsey plays Ellie, a young girl who
Bella Ramsey at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how their character, Ellie, appears on the show and in the video game.      Steve Granitz/FilmMagic, HBO, Naughty Dog/Sony

The 14-year-old's immunity status makes her important to the Fireflies as they search for a cure for the virus.

Storm Reid will appear as Ellie's best friend, Riley.

Storm Reid will appear as Ellie
Storm Reid at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how her character, Riley, appears on the show and in the video game.      Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Riley first appeared in an expansion pack to the first game called "The Last of Us: Left Behind."

Merle Dandridge stars as Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies.

Merle Dandridge stars as Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies.
If you think Merle Dandridge looks just like her "The Last of Us" video game character, it's because she also played Marlene in the game.      Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Dandridge reprises her role as Marlene from the video-game series.

The resistance leader tasks Joel and Tess with smuggling Ellie out of Boston to deliver her to a group of Fireflies.

Nick Offerman plays survivalist Bill.

Nick Offerman plays survivalist Bill.
Nick Offerman at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how his character, Bill, appears on the show and in the video game.      Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO, HBO, Naughty Dog

Bill's a doomsday planner and survivalist who appears briefly in the game to help Joel and Ellie on their mission.

Murray Bartlett appears as Bill's partner, Frank.

Murray Bartlett appears as Bill
Murray Bartlett vs how his character, Frank, looks on "The Last of Us."      Robin L Marshall/WireImage via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

We don't get to learn much about Frank in the game, who is only ever seen as a corpse. The show will expand on his character.

Melanie Lynskey will play Kathleen, an original character who didn't appear in the video game.

Melanie Lynskey will play Kathleen, an original character who didn
Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen in "The Last of Us."      Dia Dipasupil/WireImage via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Kathleen will be the leader of a group of survivors in Kansas City, Missouri.

Lamar Johnson plays Henry, a survivor in Kansas City.

Lamar Johnson plays Henry, a survivor in Kansas City.
Lamar Johnson at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how his character, Henry, appears on the show and in the video game.      Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Henry crosses paths with Joel and Ellie in the game at a pivotal moment.

Keivonn Woodard appears as his brother, Sam, who is deaf on the series.

Keivonn Woodard appears as his brother, Sam, who is deaf on the series.
Keivonn Woodard at the world premiere of "The Last of Us" on the left versus how his character, Sam, appears on the show and in the video game.      Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Woodard's first TV credit, the deaf actor portrays Sam. Both brothers are on the run from a group of survivors.

Rutina Wesley will appear as Maria.

Rutina Wesley will appear as Maria.
Rutina Wesley versus Maria in "The Last of Us."      Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Vulture Festival, HBO, Naughty Dog

Maria's the leader of a settlement in Wyoming.

Scott Shepherd will play David, a leader of another settlement.

Scott Shepherd will play David, a leader of another settlement.
Scott Shepherd versus how his character, David, appears on the show and in the video game.      Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic via Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

A preacher, David's the leader of another group who is willing to do whatever they need to feed their group and survive.

Troy Baker will appear as James, a member of David's group.

Troy Baker will appear as James, a member of David
Troy Baker versus how his character, James, appears on the show and in the video game.      Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, HBO, Naughty Dog

Baker voiced Joel in "The Last of Us" and brought the character to life using motion capture.

In the game, Reuben Langdon played James.


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