The Last of Us star Gabriel Luna has said season two will give fans one element of the show that was missing from its debut season.
When responding to how season two's emotional moments will compare to season one's – which included the widely-praised 'Bill and Frank' standalone episode – the Tommy actor said there is one critique that will be addressed in the new episodes.
"The intention going in was… to clear the bar that you set and Craig [Mazin], Neil [Druckmann] and the entire team set a very high bar," Luna said in an exclusive interview with Digital Spy.
"[The debut season] was pretty well received, but if there was any critique of the first season, it's, 'Where are the action elements of the game?' What the players felt when they were immersed in the story. That is what we give them this season in very large doses."
Season two also features the anticipated romance between Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced).
Ramsey, who previously said she was excited about exploring their love story, teased what to expect when speaking to Digital Spy.
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"[Ellie's] got a big crush on Dina and is just testing the water and doesn't wanna get hurt," they shared.
"I think that it's a bit scary for her, but that relationship is one that will definitely blossom and bloom. Dina brings some of the light back out of Ellie, and it's really cool."
Ramsey shared what that episode-one first kiss between Dina and Ellie meant to their character, revealing: "I think that is a complicated moment for Ellie. Dina's really high and Ellie's like, 'Well, is this real? This means a lot to me. I don't know if this means a lot to you'.
"I think there's a bit of fear and tension around that, because she just wants it to mean the same thing to Dina as it means to her."
Related: The Last of Us season 2's big change made it "sad" for Bella Ramsey to film scenes with Pedro Pascal
Speaking on their relationship, Merced told Digital Spy: "[Dina's] somebody who's sort of a little bit of a light and relief for Ellie as well as the residents [of Jackson, Wyoming].
"I think she's a little bit more carefree [but] a lot of her happiness [and her] playfulness is a mask, and I'm really interested for people to see that and how her relationship with Ellie grows as well."
The Last of Us season 2 airs on Mondays at 2am and 9pm on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK. The show airs on HBO in the US.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
