Check back for more interviews with the cast and creators every day this week.
Had you played the game?
And then, I watched the first season.
ISABELA MERCED: I played the game as well.
I also watched a bunch of YouTube videos about it and all the theories.
Season 2 finds beautiful ways to update what might very well be the best video game narrative ever told.
Image via HBO
What were you each most drawn to with your characters?
It was nice to experience a different character.
What was it like to find their dynamic?
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Is she filling a bit of that void that Ellie has left?
I think they do feel comfortable with each other.
She is his access point to Ellie, as much as he is her access point to Ellie.
They both care for and love Ellie.
Thats how they bond.
Its like a blank slate, in a way.
Image via HBO
They can create the person that they want the other to see.
What is it like to play those moments with Pedro Pascal?
MERCED: Were both quite silly on set.
It was really interesting to witness him.
Obviously, hes very professional, but you could tell that he doesnt take himself too seriously.
I think thats the key to how hes such a good actor.
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If you dont take yourself too seriously, then you might play more with your role.
He really just transforms.
To see how his mannerisms change and his posture and everything is really fascinating.
Custom Image By Yailin Chacon
Young, what does Jesse see in Ellie?
Shes an asset, but she is also somebody who you cant really control.
Does he have a real sense of her strengths and her weaknesses?
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Ramsey also talks about the frustration and distance Ellie is experiencing when it comes to Joel.
What can you say about the relationship between your characters?
Clearly, theres a lot thats been going on between these two before we meet them.
Did you guys talk about their relationship and flesh that out?
MERCED: It was pretty much all [in the script].
MAZINO: It was in the writing.
MERCED: Yeah, and in the game as well.
The situationship dynamic is very evident.
There was a new chemistry that flourished from that.
Theres something so interesting about the dance because so many things are going on.
We learn so much about everybody.
We learn about how Ellie feels about herself and how Dina sees her.
MERCED: Its a very natural moment.
I dont think its contrived at all.
At least the way it felt while filming it, I dont think there were ulterior motives.
I think it was a very natural, beautiful moment, and thats why its so cherished.
It was also a rare moment of sincerity and vulnerability, and a true expression of deeper feelings.
I think thats also why, moving forward, maybe they wont really address it very much.
It ended in shame, and because of that, it was tainted a little bit.
How prepared are your characters for whats coming this season?
Do they think theyre better prepared than they really are?
MERCED: There are so many worlds within the world that people are willing to defend at any cost.
It was so much fun.
How do you think fans will feel after they see the last episode of this season?
MAZINO: I think people will be quite devastated.
Devastation is the word I would use.
MERCED: Seeing the season myself, my feelings change so often because its so deep.
Your feelings about it will evolve with time as well.
The Last of Usairs on HBO and is available to stream on Max.
Check out the Season 2 trailer:
