July 2, 2025 — In a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Nico Parker, who played Sarah Miller in Season 1 of HBO’s The Last of Us, opened up about why she hasn’t been able to bring herself to watch Season 2 — and the reason is heartbreakingly simple: Pedro Pascal’s Joel is dead.
Parker, now 20 and riding high from her upcoming role as Astrid in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake, admitted she’s been avoiding The Last of Us Season 2 entirely. “I haven’t watched the second season because the idea of seeing him die is so deeply distressing,” she told Meyers, referring to Pascal’s gut-wrenching death scene early in the season. “Pedro dying is just a lot.”
Though she acknowledged her admiration for castmates Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, and Gabriel Luna, Parker confessed that her emotional connection to Pascal’s character makes it nearly impossible to watch him suffer onscreen. “I watched him die in Gladiator II and I was totally fine,” she said with a laugh, “but Joel? That’s different.”
The Scene That Shattered Fans — And Viewership
Parker isn’t alone. Since the airing of Episode 2, which featured Joel’s brutal death at the hands of Abby (Dever), viewers have been vocal about their distress. While fans of the video game series saw the death coming, its hyper-realistic portrayal in live-action form triggered widespread shock. The sequence was a faithful recreation of The Last of Us Part II’s most controversial moment, but many fans felt blindsided by the sudden loss of the show’s emotional anchor.
Viewership metrics reflect the impact: HBO saw a steep decline in engagement after Joel’s death, despite the critical acclaim the show still garners. Many have praised the series for its boldness and narrative fidelity, but others question whether the violent, unflinching scene was necessary—or simply too much.
Creative Fidelity vs. Fan Fallout
Craig Mazin, who will now lead the show solo following Neil Druckmann’s recent departure, has defended the show’s direction. He reminded fans that Pascal is still very much alive and thriving in Hollywood, with roles in Fantastic Four, Gladiator II, and more. But for many viewers, including Parker, watching Joel’s demise felt too real—too final.
While the showrunners remained true to the game’s structure, the emotional cost is clear. The Last of Us season 2 has become a lightning rod for debate: Did the show sacrifice too much heart for fidelity? Or was it a necessary descent into darkness?
Either way, one thing is undeniable: Pedro Pascal’s Joel remains a towering figure—and even from beyond the grave, he continues to dominate the emotional landscape of The Last of Us.
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