Unhealthy Mindset

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In approximately two weeks, we eagerly anticipate the highly-anticipated debut of HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2. However, before we reach that point, lead actor Pedro Pascal is opening up about some challenges he faced during filming for the new season. Set in a world 20 years post-pandemic, Pascal portrays Joel Miller, a rugged middle-aged survivor who must escort Bella Ramsey’s Ellie across the United States in this post-apocalyptic drama. Adapted from the popular video games developed by Naughty Dog, the first season of “The Last of Us” was met with great acclaim, and Season 2 aims to build upon that success.

During a press gathering in Los Angeles today (as reported by GamesRadar), Pascal was joined by his fellow cast members to talk about ‘The Last of Us’, expressing his anticipation for fans to witness the fruits of their labor in the second season. He commented, “There’s something truly captivating about presenting another installment of a series that was deeply cherished and where everyone involved has invested so much time and effort.

Speaking of which, Pascal, who isn’t hesitant about his battles with anxiety, admitted that although he was “thankful” to resume filming The Last of Us Season 2, he slipped into an “unbalanced mental state” as he tried to discern reality from the script. As an actor, it can be challenging when your mind understands it’s all pretend, but sometimes it’s tough for your emotions to follow suit.

Although I’m thankful to be back, this experience feels particularly challenging for me because I can’t help but merge the emotions of the characters with my own, which is not entirely healthy. In essence, I empathize deeply with their struggles. This situation has left me in an unhealthy emotional state.

Pedro Pascal on How ‘The Last of Us’ Creators Put Him at Ease

Regarding anxiety, there was quite a bit of it as Pascal resumed work on The Last of Us Season 2. This installment skips ahead five years in the storyline and shows Joel’s character drifting away from Ellie. Instead of diving headfirst into intense action or heated disputes, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann eased his nerves with a peaceful scene involving Ramsey that set the tone for the production. According to Pascal, the outcome was “extremely reassuring.”

The initial scene I shot, which only included you [Ramsey], felt like a touching arrangement by Craig [Mazin] and Neil [Druckmann]. It was a private setting, and although the characters were experiencing intense emotional distance, we managed to find moments of fun and laughter on set. This made me feel at ease, as if I had returned home.

In “The Last of Us” Season 2, you’ll see Joel and Ellie back in action, premiering on HBO starting April 13, 2025. Over the following weeks, a new episode will be broadcast each week until the season ends on May 25.

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2025-03-25 19:02