10 Actors Who Could Play Jesse In Last Of Us Season 2

HBO’s The Last of Us has raised the bar for video game adaptations with its meticulous reimagining of scenes and characters from the popular series. Now that Season 1 has reached its epic conclusion, it’s time to prepare for the next Infected fight with a new cast of characters including Abby, Dina and Jesse.

Although Jesse’s role was relatively minor compared to others, his compelling storyline and kindhearted personality really captivated players; Building a dedicated fanbase where many consider him their all-time favorite. But now the question remains: who can take on the mantle of this incredibly loyal and courageous friend? Here are our picks for 10 actors who could play Jesse in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2.

Ross Butler

Ross Butler has certainly made a name for himself over the years, from his stellar performances in the To All the Boys film series to his heroic debut in Shazam!

But of all those characters, his role as Zach Dempsey in 13 Reasons Why makes him a great candidate for Jesse in next season’s The Last of Us. He offered an intriguing twist in the role, portraying someone who was both a benevolent friend and a complex individual with his own struggles and issues to contend with.

Since Jesse is known for being a human individual, Butler could expand on that with his portrayal of emotions that really make you feel like he would do anything for his companions. He might also excel in the tense moments of Last of Us, as the actor has done with various petrifying scenes in the past.

Mackenyu

Mackenyu’s fame has increased as he took on new roles including Roronoa Zoro in One Piece and Seiya in Knights of the Zodiac.

With each project, he continues to charm both audiences and fellow cast members alike, as many have praised him for his willingness to stay in character. Considering The Last of Us’ numerous action sequences, Mackenyu would also be perfect for Jesse due to his history of numerous adventure films and TV shows.

The actor also knows how to express his compassionate side, especially with his breakout role in Chihayafuru. Mackenyu was able to combine these two aspects to fit Jesse’s personality of being the caring, brave ally of Ellie and others.

Alex Landi

Longtime Grey’s Anatomy veteran Alex Landi introduced fans to the series’ first Asian male surgeon, who was also one of the few openly gay characters.

Those who watch the series can see the actor’s exceptional talent through his vulnerability and sincerity in every scene, which would go well with all of the meaningful interactions between Jesse, Dina and Ellie. Additionally, Landi has continued to develop his acting career with dramatic roles, a key factor driving The Last of Us’ captivating storyline.

Justin H.Min

Of all the potential actors for Jesse, numerous Reddit users have petitioned Justin H. Min, known for his iconic character Ben Hargreeves from the Umbrella Academy.

Any time Ben and Klaus are together, you know you’re in for a wild ride, in part due to the actor’s ability to dive into each role and express a variety of tones and emotions. In a minute, he could ricochet barbs and jabs off another character with a razor-sharp tongue. Next, he might pour his heart out in a way that’s both disarming and impactful.

As a result, many fans love the character with every episode, and the same could happen again if he takes on the role of Jesse. It would also be interesting to see him take on a more dramatic role as it could give him an opportunity to showcase the full breadth of his talents.

Jasper Jeon

Instead of looking for the perfect Jesse, why not use real face model Jasper Jeon?

He already has the looks to play the character and the acting skills to back it, with other acting credits including Silent Sea, Hellbound and Big Bet. To top it off, he clearly has a deep love for the character, as evidenced by the fact that he’s played through The Last of Us Part 2 multiple times via livestreams. These factors would give him an unparalleled knowledge that would allow him to accurately portray the character.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu has been round the block in his successful acting career, with some of his most famous roles coming in the upcoming Barbie movie Kim’s Convenience and starring in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

But even when he’s playing a supporting role like Garbage Boy in Nora from Queens, his alluring personality can steal the show. This would make him ideal for Jesse and ensure that the character can shine no matter how short his screen time is.

As a bonus, Liu knows his ton of action sequences, as we saw in the iconic bus fight in his latest Marvel film. Jesse is also part of an exciting car chase, so the actor could use his experience to his advantage to make this moment even more hair-raising.

Young Mazino

Many fans on various forums have suggested that an aspiring actor would be best suited for the role of Jesse in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, so a rising star like Young Mazino would be excellent for the role.

He will star alongside Steven Yuen in the Netflix comedy-drama TV series Beef. While some have wanted Yuen to play Jesse based on his time in a dystopian world from The Walking Dead, it would be a bit difficult to cast him given that the actor is practically twice the character’s age.

That’s why Mazino seems to be a better choice. He’s more a match for Jesse’s age and physical characteristics, and his acting credentials in several short films and TV shows prove he has the experience. Even if you’re unfamiliar with his work, casting an “unknown” actor could be beneficial as it gives audiences more opportunity to grow with him, as Reddit user kendog1005 mentions.

Sean Kaufman

If you’ve watched Amazon Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty Original Series, you’ll no doubt remember Sean Kuffman’s endearing performance as Steven.

We’ve seen him make an impressive debut as the caring, protective brother of the main protagonist, portraying the same watchful qualities Jesse brings to Ellie, Dina and the rest of Jackson City. Because of this, he was able to play the role by infusing those brotherly instincts into the character, giving the character a more visible compassionate appeal in almost every scene.

Dallas Liu

Dallas Liu is beginning to make a name for himself in the industry with his upcoming role as the famous Prince Zuko in the live-action avatar: The Last Airbender. His career began in the 2009 Tekken film as a young Jin Kazama and expanded into more significant roles with PEN15 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Considering all his experience in action movies and TV shows, Liu could work well for The Last of Us’ intense scenes and keep up with Jesse’s younger age. He would also still fit the aforementioned mold of being a lesser-known actor, allowing audiences to fully embrace him as Jesse without the baggage that comes with knowing him through other roles.

Ki Hong Lee

Ki Hong Lee has proven his worth as an actor in numerous films and television series, including Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the Maze Runner franchise and Wish Upon.

Having already gained some experience in a post-apocalyptic universe with Maze Runner, he should have no problem immersing himself in the contagious Last of Us saga. He already had the tone and idiosyncrasies of a survivor down to the last detail and was able to focus his efforts on showing the different aspects of Jesse’s character. As if that wasn’t enough, Lee also exceptionally performed the more physically intense stunts in all three Maze Runner films, cementing his talent in intense action-packed narratives.

He’s also shown his light-hearted side with the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, perfect for Jesse’s good nature. As with many others on this list, it’s about finding someone who can overcome both the series’ dangerous action and quiet moments, and Lee is undoubtedly a top contender for that role.