Includes minor SPOILERS for The Last of Us Part II, which The Last of Us season 2 will be based on.
Summary
- Jeffrey Wright reprising his role as Isaac in The Last of Us season 2 will add depth to the character.
- Including Isaac more prominently in the series could elevate the impact of Abby's narrative arc.
- Expanding Isaac's role beyond the video game adaptation can lead to an unforgettable TV villain.
After a recent casting announcement for The Last of Us season 2, a change from the video game to make one villain character more prevalent seems necessary. Despite a previously poor reputation for video game adaptations, HBO's The Last of Us series was a huge hit for game and television fans alike, aptly bringing to life the beloved franchise. The original game is naturally cinematic, but the TV adaptation still made some changes to improve the story for a new medium. With The Last of Us season 2 in production, more changes should be expected.
The Last of Us season 1 is streaming now on Max.
Fans will be waiting a while for season 2, which is expected to be released sometime in 2025. In the meantime, there are plenty of ideas to theorize about regarding how The Last of Us Part II can be brought to life on television. There are several ways The Last of Us season 2 can differ from the game, including varying the impact of certain characters. Season 1 saw characters like Frank and Bill explored more thoroughly than they were in the video games, and season 2 can continue to dive deeper into the complexities of the games' fascinating side characters.
Jeffrey Wright As Isaac Is Perfect Casting For The Last Of Us Season 2
Jeffrey Wright Played Isaac In The Game And Is A Phenomenal Actor
A recent announcement for The Last of Us series saw Jeffrey Wright cast as Isaac Dixon, reprising the role after voicing the character in The Last of Us Part II. Wright isn't the first actor from the video game cast to join the acclaimed TV series, as Merle Dandridge also played Marlene in both versions. Joel's voice actor Troy Baker had a guest role in season 1, too. Jeffrey Wright is perfect for playing Isaac, not only because of his experience with the character but also because he's one of the most coveted character actors in Hollywood.
Wright has played some excellent protagonists, and it will be fascinating to see him take on a villain.
Jeffrey Wright's most well-known roles include The Batman, The Hunger Games franchise, and HBO's Westworld, but he's had an excellent career in film and television beyond them. Recently, Wright starred in the Oscar-winning drama American Fiction, where he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. An actor of his caliber brings The Last of Us to an all-new level of prestige, and he has the capability to make Isaac one of television's most unforgettable antagonists. Wright has played some excellent protagonists, and it will be fascinating to see him take on a villain.
Isaac Now Needs A Bigger Role In The Last Of Us Season 2
The Last Of Us Should Get The Most Out Of Jeffrey Wright's Talent
Hiring a recent Oscar nominee and an actor as well-known as Jeffrey Wright prompts a particular quality for the character he'll be playing. HBO has worked with Wright on Angels in America, Boardwalk Empire, and Westworld, but his popularity is at an all-time high. Knowing this, there's an expectation of what the network should look to accomplish with the character, and Isaac is only in the video game for a small portion. The Last of Us TV series should increase his role to justify having such a prominent actor.
As proven by "Long, Long Time," the TV series can accomplish much in a short period, making memorable, worthwhile characters in one or two episode arcs. However, having Isaac as a significant character throughout the season, or at least for an arc toward the end, would be the best way to make use of Jeffrey Wright's talents. Doing so could also increase the prevalence of Abby's narrative in The Last of Us season 2, heightening her importance.
Giving Isaac A Bigger Role Would Be One Of HBO's Best The Last Of Us Game Changes
Isaac Could Be An Unforgettable TV Villain In The Last Of Us Season 2
Up to The Last of Us season 1 ending, the HBO drama made several notable changes to the video game story. A one-to-one, direct adaptation is never really an option, and in the case of The Last of Us, many of the changes worked as improvements, expanding the world and characters from the games. Season 1 expanded on Henry and Sam, Frank and Bill, and introduced Kathleen to add depth to the Kansas City plotline. Similarly, providing further exploration into Isaac could be one the best ways to make season 2 as massively successful as the first.
As the leader of a militia called the Washington Liberation Front, Isaac is already a compelling character and one of the franchise's most complex villains. That leaves plenty of room not only to explore Abby but also to examine further how society has developed in the apocalypse setting. In the game, the WLF has taken control of the Seattle Quarantine Zone from FEDRA, which could also be shown in flashbacks in The Last of Us series.
