"I love The Last of Us in every form" - Ashley Johnson, who played Ellie in the games, weighs in on TLOU's divisive second season

Ashley Johnson, who portrayed Ellie in Naughty Dog's The Last of Us and its sequel The Last of Us Part 2, has shared her thoughts on the divisive second season of HBO's TV adaptation.

While the first season of The Last of Us was met with praise, the show seemed to falter a bit with season two. There were a few quibbles, with many debating whether or not the TV team was right to reveal Abby's motivations so early in the season, among other issues with pacing, character development and so on.

But, season two was always going to be a tricky board to tread. Even the award-winning The Last of Us Part 2 received some very vocal pushback on its release in 2020. So, what does Johnson make of the renewed discussions around The Last of Us following season two's release last year?

"I feel like with The Last of Us, people really love that story, including me, and it's very, very passionate fans. And sometimes that passion feels really great, and sometimes it feels not great," Johnson told The Direct. "But you know, I understand it. I understand loving something so much, and wanting it to be what you want it to be."

Johnson added it "can be hard sometimes", because "when you are making these things, and on your side of things, you're passionate about it, and excited about it, and hopefully those two things can meet". However, the actor noted that sometimes "they do not", and this can be difficult.

"I mean, anytime you're working on anything, you want people to like it, and you want people to love it as much as you," Johnson explained. "But I love The Last of Us in every form, and I am so happy that I get to be a part of [telling] that story."

As well as her part in bringing the games to life, Johnson also had a cameo in the first season of HBO's The Last of Us adaptation, as Ellie's mother.

Image credit: HBO

Last year, Neil Druckmann announced he was stepping back from the series after The Last of Us season two, in order to focus on Naughty Dog's gaming output, which includes Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann had previously worked on The Last of Us' adaptation as a co-showrunner, director, writer and producer. While he's returned to full-time video game development, Druckmann has since said he will remain somewhat involved in The Last of Us' adaptation at a "very high level" to make sure it's "as deeply faithful" as the show's first season was.

As for the future of the series, it is currently suspected the upcoming third season will be its last. Since then, it was announced Clea DuVall and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. will both join The Last of Us for the show's upcoming season.