Ashley Johnson Reflects on Playing Ellie’s Mother in The Last of Us TV Show

Ashley Johnson is finest identified for enjoying Ellie in the online game model of The Last of Us (and its sequel), however she additionally obtained an opportunity to make an look in the season finale of the HBO present as Ellie’s mother, Anna. Johnson talked extra in regards to the alternative and what it meant to be in this world as soon as once more however from a unique viewpoint.

She mentioned Anna was an extension of Ellie and said that it was “special for [her] to play the mother of this character that [she cares] so deeply about.” Johnson then recalled how even Ellie’s first few seconds have been a combat, as Anna gave delivery whereas being attacked by an contaminated being, which reveals how robust Ellie has needed to be since day one.

Filming the precise scene, in response to Johnson, was intense, too, as she mentioned she was performing, however was additionally truly scared because of stuntwoman Kelsey Andries’ intense efficiency because the contaminated particular person. Despite her fears, she mentioned she couldn’t consider she was getting the prospect to be in the present in that capability and mentioned she would “never forget it.”

Johnson had talked about taking the function in different avenues, as nicely. She even famous on the official The Last of Us podcast that she cried when Neil Druckmann referred to as her about it. Expanding upon that with Deadline after the finale aired, she mentioned that she was nervous however comfortable and be the primary particular person in Ellie’s life that fights for her to stay. Johnson additionally instructed The Hollywood Reporter that she had theories of why Ellie was immune, however determined to focus extra on the relationships in the present.