Ian Alexander, who voiced Lev in The Last of Us games, is joining HBO’s third season as a new character named Paco. Laura Bailey has also been cast as Elizabeth, the leader of the radical Seraphites. Deadline reports the additions alongside John Goodman, who will play an original character called Joey the Hero of the Highway.
The news comes as HBO’s adaptation splits the second game across multiple seasons, with the third season expected to be the final one. The show is moving away from the source material’s familiar faces and leaning into new characters, including Goodman’s Joey and Paco.
Joey the Hero of the Highway
Goodman is a character actor known for roles in The Righteous Gemstones, The Big Lebowski and The Flintstones. He will play Joey, described as a “Hero of the Highway.”
Paco is Joey’s partner in the duo. Alexander, who played Lev in the games, takes on the role. The pairing brings together a voice actor from the source material with a character actor of Goodman’s caliber.
Elizabeth Returns Through Laura Bailey
Bailey previously appeared in a small cameo in the first season. Now she has a much larger role as Elizabeth, the leader of the radical Seraphites.
Elizabeth never appeared on screen during The Last of Us Part II, but she is mentioned in past tense. That suggests her fate has been settled off-screen.
The Seraphites battled Seattle and have an integral relationship to Lev. Their story could expand in the third season, giving viewers more context on the religious group that loomed over the second game’s events.
Other Game Cast Members Are Back Too
Troy Baker and Jeffrey Wright are reprising their roles from the games. Merle Dandridge is also back. All three previously voiced characters in the Last of Us series.
The cast additions come after a busy summer. Patrick Wilson, from The Conjuring, joined the show. Jason Ritter, known for Gravity Falls, also signed on. Li Jun Li, the voice behind Spider-Noir, rounds out the group.
The Show Without Neil Druckmann
The second season was not as well received as the first. The remaining episodes will need to handle dramatic perspective changes between Abby and Lev’s stories.
Neil Druckmann, the game director, is no longer involved with the TV series. He says he is focusing on the game side of things, including developing Intergalactic.
The show will be the first season without Druckmann’s guidance.
What the Third Season Covers
The third season is expected to be the final one. It will cover the remaining content from The Last of Us Part II.
The split approach means the show is taking its time with the source material. That could allow for deeper exploration of characters like Elizabeth and the Seraphites.
The September 28 Stream
Naughty Dog is hosting a Last of Us focused stream tomorrow, September 28th. The stream will likely reveal more about the third season and maybe even a game or two.
The stream could confirm which parts of The Last of Us Part II the show plans to adapt.
Our View on the Cast Additions
The additions are a smart move. Goodman brings star power to a show that needs it, and his casting as Joey the Hero of the Highway gives the third season a fresh anchor.
Alexander’s return as Paco is a win for fans who followed Lev’s story in the games. His casting as Paco keeps the character alive in a different form.
Bailey’s expanded role as Elizabeth is a surprise. Her previous cameo was small, so a larger part is unexpected. It shows the show is willing to revisit the Seraphites and their history.
The third season is shaping up to be a strong finale for the show. The cast additions give it depth, and the September 28th stream could confirm what comes next for the franchise.
Hard Numbers
- New cast additions: Ian Alexander as Paco, Laura Bailey as Elizabeth, John Goodman as Joey
- Previous roles: Alexander voiced Lev in the games; Bailey cameoed in the first season
- Summer additions: Patrick Wilson, Jason Ritter, Li Jun Li
- Season count: Third season, expected to be final
- Game director’s exit: Neil Druckmann is focusing on developing Intergalactic
- Stream date: September 28th
- Setting: Joey and Paco form a duo; Elizabeth is a Seraphites leader
- Show’s history: Second season not as well received as the first
The third season is set to be the final one. It will be interesting to see how the show handles the ending without Druckmann’s involvement. The September 28th stream will likely provide more answers.
The show has built a loyal following, and these cast additions suggest the creators are committed to delivering a satisfying conclusion.
Source material: “Abby And Lev’s Voice Actors Join John Goodman In HBO’s Third Season Of The Last Of Us,” Kotaku.
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