‘The Last of Us’ on HBO Casts Anna Torv as Its Tess

The Last of Us has found its begrudging voice of reason. Anna Torv has been cast Tess in the prestige horror drama, and it’s hard to imagine better casting for this morally gray character.

Naughty Dog’s 2013 action-adventure game largely focused on the growing relationship between Joel and his adoptive daughter, Ellie. But that story could have never happened without one of its most important supporting characters, Tess. Joel meets Tess after the death of his daughter, and the two develop a romance of sorts. While working as smugglers, they’re given a mission to deliver something for the rebel militia known as the Fireflies. That “something” is none other than Ellie. Once Tess realizes that this immune little girl may be humanity’s only hope, she does everything in her power to ensure Ellie’s safety.

Get ready for some spoilers because they are a’coming. Tess didn’t last long in the original game. While smuggling Ellie, Tess is bitten by one of the Infected. Knowing that she only has a few more minutes to live, Tess gives her own life and fights the soldiers chasing after them, granting Joel and Ellie a chance to escape. It’s Tess’ sacrifice that convinces Joel to complete his mission and take care of Ellie, even if he doesn’t initially believe in her immunity.

The Last of Us

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This calculating, badass woman with a secret heart of gold will be played by an actor who knows this particular trope well. Torv blew critics away as Dr. Wendy Carr in Netflix’s Mindhunter. Prior to that the actor starred in Fringe as Olivia Dunham and Secret City as Harriet Dunkley. Torv also has some video game cred of her own. She served as the voice of Nariko in Heavenly Sword.

In addition to Torv, HBO’s The Last of Us will star Pedro Pascal as the emotionally distant and gruff Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, the often silly surrogate daughter who changes his life. Gabriel Luna will star as Joel’s brother Tommy. The first season will be comprised of 10 episodes, which will be written by Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin and The Last of Us game’s Neil Druckmann. At eight figures an episode, there are rumors that it may emerge as the most expensive HBO series to date. With a cast this great and the financial support of one of the biggest premium networks around, you can bet we’re ready to scream.