Nico Parker Explains Why She Refuses to Watch The Last of Us Season 2: "Pedro Dying Is Just A Lot"

Nico Parker, best known to fans of The Last of Us as Sarah Miller, Joel's daughter, is speaking out about the emotional weight of Pedro Pascal’s character’s death — and why it’s keeping her from watching the second season.

In a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Parker candidly admitted that she hasn’t watched Season 2 of the HBO hit, despite being a fan of its cast. “I haven’t watched the second season because the idea of seeing him die is so deeply distressing,” she shared. “But I’m a huge fan of Bella, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela, and Gabriel… so I do want to watch it because I want to see them, but Pedro dying is just a lot.”

Parker’s comments echo the feelings of many TLOU viewers, who were emotionally shaken by Joel’s brutal and early death in Season 2, Episode 2. Even fans familiar with the video game source material found it difficult to stomach the scene. While co-creator Craig Mazin reminded audiences that Pedro Pascal is “still alive and in literally everything else,” viewers had trouble separating the actor from his beloved character.

The scene in question — a harrowing, faithful adaptation of Joel's death from the video game — sparked outrage and dismay among viewers. Despite its narrative importance, the moment was widely criticized for being excessively violent and emotionally jarring. Parker even pointed out that she was fine watching Pascal’s character die in Gladiator II, but something about Joel’s fate in The Last of Us hit much harder: "It's just different."

Season 2’s reception has been mixed, with a notable drop in viewership following Joel’s death. While some commend the show for sticking to the original storyline, others argue that the loss of such a central figure so early on damaged the series' emotional core and alienated fans.

Ultimately, Parker’s hesitation highlights a larger debate about storytelling loyalty versus audience experience. As The Last of Us prepares for Season 3, it remains to be seen whether the show can rebuild its momentum — or if Joel’s death marked a turning point fans can’t move past.

The Last of Us is streaming on Max.