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The Last of Us Reveals True Blood Star in Pivotal Role


One of True Blood’s fan-favorite characters has been confirmed to star in a pivotal role on HBO’s Naughty Dog adaptation, The Last of Us. Entertainment Weekly just revealed our first official look at Maria, the leader of a group of survivors in Jackson, Wyoming. Check out True Blood’s Rutina Wesley as Maria on the image from Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive look HERE.

READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE: The Last of Us Character Guide: Who Will Be in the HBO Series?

For a spoiler-free description of Maria from The Last of Us: she has been described by HBO as the “leader of a settlement of survivors in Jackson, Wyoming.” Her role could easily lead us to The Last of Us Season 2, although no renewal news has been confirmed yet. But Maria remains to be one of the more prominent parental figures Ellie has in the game, besides Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Marlene (Merle Dandrige).

Maria in The Last of Us Part II
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Maria in The Last of Us Part II

If Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann do, in fact, plan on proceeding with the series by adapting even The Last of Us Part II, not only will we still be seeing Wesley as Maria, but new characters that will drive the adult Ellie amid the post-apocalyptic setting.

Rutina Wesley is famously known for her role in True Blood as fan-favorite Tara Thorton, which she played from 2008-2014. After that, she has been known for her role in Queen Sugar as Nova Bordelon, and even parts in Hannibal, Arrow, The Walking Dead, among others.

The Last of Us stars Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller, Bella Ramsey as 14-year-old Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Merle Dandrige as Marlene, Anna Torv as Tess, Nick Offerman as Bill, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Storm Reid as Riley, Nico Parker as Sarah, Ashley Johnson (Ellie’s in-game voice actor) as Anna, Troy Baker as James, among many others.

The Last of Us is slated for release on HBO this coming January 15, 2023.

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