Ashley Johnson Reflects on Season 2 Backlash for The Last of Us: “Passion Can Be a Double-Edged Sword”

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Ashley Johnson, known for her role as Ellie in The Last of Us, recently addressed the mixed reactions to season 2 of the HBO series. She expressed understanding of the backlash, noting that while fan passion can be exhilarating, it can also lead to intense negativity.

In a conversation about the response to the second season, Johnson, who voices Ellie in both The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II, shared, “People really love that story, including me, and it’s very passionate fans. Sometimes that passion feels really great, and sometimes it feels not great. But I understand it. I understand loving something so much and wanting it to be what you want it to be.”

She emphasized her love for The Last of Us “in every form” and her happiness in being part of the storytelling process.

Johnson continued, “It can be tough when you’re deeply invested in a project, hoping that your enthusiasm aligns with the audience’s expectations. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn’t, which can be challenging because you want people to appreciate it as much as you do.”

While the first season of The Last of Us closely followed the original material, the second season took more creative liberties, altering its structure and pacing, and shifting the focus of Ellie’s quest for revenge. It also marked a significant departure with the fate of Pedro Pascal’s Joel, which surprised viewers unfamiliar with the games.

Before the season premiered on April 13, 2025, co-showrunner Craig Mazin acknowledged the anticipated “furor” surrounding the new episodes. “There usually is, starting even with casting,” he candidly remarked. “We’re not trying to create social media fear; we just want to tell the story as we believe it should be told.”

Both seasons of The Last of Us are currently available for streaming. Stay updated on The Last of Us season 3 with our comprehensive guide.

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