Noah Lamanna may only have made a brief appearance on “The Last of Us,” but their character, Kat, had a profound influence on Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Sunday’s flashback episode showed Joel (Pedro Pascal) catching Ellie and Kat in Ellie’s bedroom on her 17th birthday. The pair are doing drugs and Kat, who is 19, has given Ellie a tattoo on her arm, which upsets Joel. This incident leads to a rift in their relationship, and years later, Joel is tragically killed by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) before he could reconcile with Ellie.
Impact on Ellie’s Behavior
In an exclusive interview with The Post, Lamanna discussed how Kat and Ellie’s relationship impacts Ellie’s behavior in Season 2. They explained, “At the top of the season in the first episode, you find our relationship has started and ended. We’re in the unfortunate situation of still living together in a very small community, forced to collaborate in an uncomfortable way. Tensions arise between our characters throughout this process.” This breakup leads Ellie to enter a relationship with Dina (Isabel Merced), which Lamanna finds difficult to witness, indicating the weight of their history and the tension between their characters in the first episode.
Exploring the Dynamic
Looking back at Sunday’s flashback episode, Lamanna shared that it was a fun opportunity to explore Kat and Ellie’s dynamic before their breakup. They mentioned, “We see a lighter version of the two of them together, gaining insight into a history that is less burdened. These moments of levity provide a refreshing contrast to the intense events in the rest of the season.” Moreover, Lamanna hinted at more story to tell between Kat and Ellie, leaving viewers with unanswered questions about their past and how they ended up where they are.
Working with Co-Stars
Lamanna expressed admiration for working with Ramsey, 21, and Pascal, 50. They described Pascal as charming and everything you would want him to be, which was really nice. Talking about Ramsey, Lamanna praised their down-to-earth nature despite dealing with fame at a young age. They noted Ramsey’s maturity beyond their years, making it a pleasant experience to connect with them on a personal level. With engaging characters and promising storylines, “The Last of Us” continues to captivate audiences as it airs on HBO every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.
