HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2 roster expands with the recent addition of Young Mazino, fresh from earning an Emmy nomination for his role in Netflix’s “Beef.”

Mazino steps into the shoes of Jesse, a character drawn from the narrative of The Last of Us Part II video game, as outlined by Deadline today. Describing the role, Deadline reports, “Mazino will portray Jesse, a community cornerstone known for prioritizing others’ needs above his own, sometimes at a heavy personal cost.”

Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann expressed their enthusiasm for Mazino’s talent, highlighting his undeniable presence on screen. “Young is one of those rare actors who captivates you instantly,” they remarked. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have him and can’t wait for audiences to witness his remarkable performance in our series.”

Mazino joins Kaitlyn Dever in Season 2, where Dever takes on the controversial character Abby.

The forthcoming season of HBO’s “The Last of Us” intends to adapt the intricate storyline of the video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II. However, indications suggest that the narrative’s depth and multi-character arcs might require more than one season to unfold fully.

Set in a world devastated by the collapse of civilization two decades prior, the series follows Joel, a resilient survivor tasked with smuggling Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of a restrictive quarantine zone. Their seemingly straightforward mission evolves into a grueling odyssey across the United States, where their survival depends on their mutual reliance.

The show features Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, supported by a talented ensemble including Gabriel Luna, Storm Reid, Anna Torv, Jeffrey Pierce, Nick Offerman, Merle Dandridge, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, and Con O’Neil, among others, in its first season.