Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey React to Joel’s Shocking Death in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2

Pedro Pascal has finally spoken out after the shocking death of Joel in Season 2, Episode 2 of The Last of Us — and his reaction echoes the heartbreak felt by millions of fans. The brutal scene, which closely mirrors a pivotal moment in the video game, sees Joel captured, tortured, and ultimately killed by Abby, the daughter of the doctor he shot at the end of Season 1.

For Pascal, the emotional weight of saying goodbye to the character was overwhelming. He admitted to being in “active denial” about Joel’s fate, saying he avoids thinking about it because it makes him too sad. Although he knew from the beginning that his time on the series would be limited, the reality of filming Joel’s death was deeply personal. Showing up on set covered in blood, Pascal said the looks he got weren’t ones of shock — they were of heartbreak.

Filming the death scene was both surreal and powerful. Joel’s final moments are harrowing: he’s shot in the leg, beaten down, and ultimately killed by a spike to the neck. The violence of the scene stands in stark contrast to the camaraderie off-camera. Pascal said meeting Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, was a great experience, and it felt ironic to form such a bond with someone whose character commits such a violent act.

Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, admitted she was dreading the episode even before filming began. Reading the script left her in tears. She said it was the first time she’s ever cried from reading a piece of writing. The episode marks a huge turning point for the series, shifting the dynamic and forcing Ellie into a new and more isolated emotional arc. For Ramsey, the loss was personal — not just for her character, but for the bond she built with Pascal on and off set.

The creative team behind the show knew the stakes were high. Fans of the game expected Joel’s death, and the longer the series delayed it, the more pressure built. According to the showrunners, holding off too long would’ve risked turning the moment into a source of anxiety rather than a meaningful story beat. Executing the scene early in Season 2 was a deliberate decision meant to stay ahead of speculation and let the series evolve naturally.

Now, with Joel gone, the emotional center of the show shifts. The Last of Us moves forward in darker, more dangerous territory. But even as the narrative changes, the weight of Joel’s death — and Pascal’s raw portrayal — will cast a long shadow over everything that follows.