Production of the show, adapted from the award-winning video game, is set to last for a year.
The Last of Us is set some twenty years after the fall of civilisation, following a deadly viral outbreak, one which not only decimates the population but leaves the survivors on the run from contagious mutants. The central relationship of the story will be between Joel, a survivor, who is hired to smuggle the 14-year-old Ellie out of an oppressive quarantine zone.
The series will star The Mandalorian‘s Pedro Pascal as Joel, with Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) playing Ellie. Gabriel Luna (Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD) will also star as Tommy, alongside Nico Parker (Dumbo) as Sarah. Merle Dandridge (The Flight Attendant) will also reprise her voice role from the game as Marlene, the head of the Fireflies.
To celebrate the start of filming in Calgary, Gabriel Luna shared a cast snap on his Instagram:
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The show has been adapted by writer Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), who is executive producing along with Carolyn Strauss and the game’s creator Neil Druckmann.
The Last of Us is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint and Naughty Dog (the video game developer).
With Pedro Pascal tied up filming The Last of Us, what it means for his schedule on The Mandalorian series 3 remains to be seen. As ever, Cultbox will keep you posted.