Last of Us is an HBO show inspired by a hit video game. It tracks Joel and Ellie through a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world. Infected lurk everywhere. Expect a wild ride, packed with emotions and suspense. It’s intense, trust me!

Meet the characters from The Last of Us

Joel Miller

Oh man, Joel is that gruff, worn-in survivor who you just know has a thousand stories tucked into the lines on his face — and yes he absolutely keeps a dented watch he never winds, for reasons he’ll never explain. He’s blunt, sometimes scary, but oddly paternal in a sideways, reluctant way; doesn’t say “I love you” but will haul you across half the ruined country without asking. He can be stubborn to the point of petulance and somehow also quietly sentimental (don’t tell him I said that), and he’s suspicious of everyone until he isn’t. Honestly he’s equal parts broken and dangerous and protective, and you get the feeling he’d trade the world for a single peaceful afternoon — if he believed in afternoons anymore.

Ellie Williams

Ellie is a tiny tornado of sarcasm, fierce loyalty, and surprisingly tender curiosity — she memorizes stupid jokes like treasures and can switch from playful to deadly-serious in a blink. She’s brave in a way that feels reckless sometimes, but it comes from this stubborn, aching hope that the world could still be something more, which is both sad and huge. Still a kid-ish streak shows up — collects odd things, hums songs she invents, cries at the worst times — but she’s also laser-focused and terrifyingly capable when she needs to be. Basically a spitfire with trauma and a heart-shaped steel core, and you love her for all the messy contradictions.

Tommy Miller

Tommy is the quietly idealistic one, like the brother who tried to build a better life out of rubble and sometimes succeeds, sometimes messes it up, but always keeps trying. He’s steady, has this stubborn moral compass that annoys some people and inspires others, and he can be reckless in his own righteous way — big on community, small on patience, very bad at letting things go. He’s the guy who’ll sing off-key to keep morale up and then fix your truck at midnight with too much coffee and an old wrench. Kind of a fixer, kind of a preacher, kind of a brother who still punches his fist through walls when it matters.

Theresa Servopoulos

Theresa reads like the clipboard-and-thermometer type who runs a quarantine zone with a smile that’s mostly protocol; she loves order, flowcharts, and making sure everybody has the right colored bracelet. But don’t be fooled — beneath the neat hair and neat binder there’s a fierce pragmatism and a tired humor that sneaks out when the lights go down (also she might hoard tea bags, for reasons). She’s the person who will remind you of the rules and then bend them when she thinks it’ll save someone, which is both comforting and mildly terrifying. Part bureaucrat, part reluctant guardian, she’s the kind of person who judges you but will stitch you up afterwards.

Marlene

Marlene is all cool, composed leadership with a pistol and a plan; queen-bee revolutionary energy but with a mother-hen streak that shows up at the worst possible times. She’s eloquent, stubborn, and somehow always three moves ahead, which makes her magnetic — people follow her because she believes things are worth fighting for, even if the fight gets ugly. She can be warm and clinical in the same conversation, and her cigarette breaks are almost ritualistic, like little punctuation marks between impossible decisions. Honestly she’s the kind of leader who scares you and comforts you and makes you feel like whatever you do matters — even when it might not.

Perry

Perry is one of those background survivors who pops up and leaves an impression — kind of grumpy, a little too candid, and oddly fond of tiny comforts like peppermint candies or humming out-of-tune show tunes. He snaps at people but is secretly reliable; you get the sense he once had a job that required manners and now he uses those manners against the apocalypse like a weird weapon. He’s petty in a charming way sometimes and then insanely brave at other times, which makes him unpredictable but oddly lovable. Basically a rough-edged side character who steals a scene and then disappears back into the chaos, probably with a half-chewed mint in his pocket.