- Pascal plays people smuggler Joel
- Emotions are running high as ever on the new season
- The new season returns this week
Pedro Pascal has opened up about how difficult it is for him emotionally to play Joel in The Last Of Us.
The actor is about to return to our screens as people-smuggler Joel Miller, but admitted that portraying the character puts him in “an unhealthy mindset”.
“It’s this experience, more than any I’ve had. It’s hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel,” he told People.
Read more: Why is season 2 of The Last Of Us shorter?
“In a way that isn’t very healthy,” added Pascal. “And so, I kind of feel their pain I suppose, so I suppose I was in an unhealthy mindset.”
Pascal also mentioned that Joel’s “fiercely protective” nature is the aspect of his character he relates to most.
“I think that storytelling is cathartic in so many ways, always has been,” explained Pascal. “It’s the way that the human beings have made testimony to life.”
What happens to Ellie and Joel’s relationship in the new season?
Things are looking tumultuous in the next season of The Last Of Us. In particular, Ellie and Joel will likely encounter a lot of difficulty in their relationship.
At this weekend’s Deadline Contenders TV event, Ramsey said that there’s “definitely some doubt” between Ellie and Joel this season, “so I think that plays a big part in the shift in the relationship.”
Read more: The Last of Us Season 2: Surprises & Brutal Scenes
“It’s really difficult playing being cold to him … it’s sadder for sure,” added Ramsey. “And it will continue to just get sadder and more cold … so look forward to that.”
We’ve already seen from the trailer that things between them are tense. At the end, we see a teaser of an emotional conversation in which Ellie asks Joel if he’s truly been honest with her.
What else can we expect from the new season?
The Last Of Us returns on Sunday, 13 April and will find Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) living in relative peace five years after the events of the first season.
Several new cast members are joining the show. Dopesick’s Kaitlyn Dever joins the cast as soldier Abby. Young Mazino signed on to play community leader Jesse, while Isabela Merced is playing Dina, a romantic prospect for Ellie and an ex of Jesse.
Read more: The Last of Us Season 2 Won’t Cover the Whole Story
Meanwhile, Catherine O’Hara is set to be guest star but no details about her role have been given.
