Longtime fans of The Last of Us were given quite the treat during the TV show’s season finale on Sunday.
HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, the critically-acclaimed video game series developed by Naughty Dog, ended its first season on Sunday to much discussion from fans. The post-apocalyptic drama series, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as the series main characters Joel and Ellie, has become a big hit in the prestige TV world over the last few months.
And it’s not difficult to see why, as The Last of Us has been a pretty darn good and faithful adaptation of its dramatic, emotional source material. Not only that, in Sunday’s season finale, fans were treated to not one, but two cameos from its video game cast.
Spoilers for The Last of Us episode nine “Look for the Light” ahead.
Episode nine opens with Ellie’s mother, Anna, giving birth after being bitten by an infected. Playing Anna, however, was none other than Ashley Johnson, who originated the role of Ellie in The Last of Us video games!
Ashley Johnson gave birth to Ellie in two different ways 🥹#TheLastofUs pic.twitter.com/GuQgXwyBU6
— DomTheBomb (@DomTheBombYT) March 13, 2023
Not only that, later in the episode, Laura Bailey got a minute-long cameo as a nurse during a pivotal scene. Bailey voiced a few minor characters in The Last of Us, but played a much larger role in the game’s sequel The Last of Us Part II.
— Laura Bailey (@LauraBaileyVO) March 13, 2023
How cool is that! Fans of The Last of Us were rightfully elated to see these two major actresses from the video games get cameos in HBO’s adaptation.
i don't think a show has honored the source material quite like what the last of us did with ashley johnson. watching ashley portray anna and share a scene with baby ellie — knowing all of the work ashley put into ellie and how much she loves her — is truly remarkable. i wept pic.twitter.com/gWg1CQhtAm
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) March 13, 2023
ashley johnson’s emotional connection to ellie is so special to see and hear about. knowing that so much of ellie was adapted because of ashley and her personality while making the games, i just love ashley johnson so much. she truly is the mother of ellie williams pic.twitter.com/UyPjsSRN6E
— em (@bestofaloy) March 13, 2023
Thinking about Ashley Johnson the OG Ellie giving birth to the new Ellie…….. to me that’s Cinema pic.twitter.com/uVdxqcLPer
— Gabby 🌈🇵🇭 🔜 GDC (@gabs820) March 13, 2023
A huge shoutout to Ashley Johnson and her phenomenal performance in #TheLastofUs' season finale! From Ellie to Anna, you continue to amaze us. ❤
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) March 13, 2023
bafta award winner ashley johnson soon to be emmy award nominee (or winner) ashley johnson for simply ten minutes of the last of us, i swear. what a FORCE pic.twitter.com/v8LtKAWt6X
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) March 13, 2023
I still can't believe they got Ashley Johnson, the original Ellie from the games to play Ellie's mom in the tv show. That is awesome. #TheLastOfUs
— Dylan Blurton (@DylanBlurton) March 13, 2023
What’s also cool? Laura Bailey also being the best alongside her. <3 https://t.co/YHjMQUX3Hc
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) March 13, 2023
We got Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey on the same episode 😭❤ #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/FLvoZhmskJ
— Agustina 🜃 (@AgustinaVids) March 13, 2023
ashley johnson and laura bailey both getting to guest star in the same episode of the last of us I’m weeping it’s what they deserve! #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/BWuVrLgiAk
— emma 💜🖤 (@drsarascofield) March 13, 2023
Troy Baker cameos in Episode 8 and Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey in Episode 9.
This series really is hitting all the right notes for fans of the game. https://t.co/lGPRnpS6zK
— Jake the VGA Fella (@JaketheVGAfella) March 13, 2023
LAURA BAILEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE https://t.co/9EhD9AdMo7
— marissa (@fearneyasha) March 13, 2023
Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey and Merle Dandridge being in this finale, man what a full circle moment it is for these actors, given the roles they played in the games. Must be so surreal, an acting career milestone so unique to their experiences. Bravo #TheLastOfUs
— Zedrick Restauro (@ZedrickRestauro) March 13, 2023
