Los Angeles – Young Mazino, known for his Emmy-nominated role in “Beef,” has joined the cast of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” as reported by Deadline. Mazino is one of the three major additions for the second season of the post-apocalyptic drama. The series, based on the popular video game developed by Naughty Dog, is a co-production between HBO and Sony Pictures Television. Mazino will be joining Kaitlyn Dever, who was recently cast.
In the upcoming season, Mazino will be playing the character of Jesse, a pillar of his community who prioritizes the needs of others even at a great personal cost. This character was previously portrayed by Stephen Chang in the video game adaptation.
The co-creators, writers, executive producers, and directors of “The Last of Us,” Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, expressed their excitement about having Mazino on board and look forward to seeing his performance in the show.
“The Last of Us” is set in a world where modern civilization has been destroyed, and the story takes place twenty years after this event. Pedro Pascal plays the role of Joel, a survivor who is hired to transport Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. The journey quickly becomes a harsh and heartbreaking one as they rely on each other for their survival.
The first season, which was shot in Calgary, Alberta, featured an extensive cast of talented actors. Season 2 will be filmed in Vancouver, as the story of “The Last of Us Part II” primarily takes place in the Pacific Northwest.
“The Last of Us” is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series has enjoyed critical acclaim and recently won eight awards at the Creative Arts portion of the 2023 Emmy Awards, including honors for guest actors Nick Offerman and Storm Reid.
Young Mazino’s television credits include appearances on “Prodigal Son,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Blindspot.” He is represented by UTA, M88, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
With the addition of Young Mazino to the cast, fans of “The Last of Us” can anticipate another compelling season of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic series. Production is set to begin in February in Vancouver.