Sony Pictures Television recently gathered the creative forces behind its biggest shows at an exclusive FYC (For Your Consideration) event in Culver City, California. The evening featured a compelling mix of behind-the-scenes revelations, emotional reflections, and a celebration of storytelling through performance, with cast and creators from The Last of Us, The Boys, Cobra Kai, Dark Matter, and others in attendance.

Pedro Pascal’s Shocking Exit from The Last of Us

Perhaps the biggest headline came from The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann, who revealed intense internal debate over the death of Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel Miller, in Season 2. Although fans of the original PlayStation game expected Joel’s fate, the TV adaptation still shocked audiences when the character was killed mid-season.

Druckmann recalled a conversation with HBO CEO Casey Bloys, who had been pressured by agents asking, “Why didn’t you offer millions to keep Pedro alive?” Bloys ultimately insisted on honoring the source material. Co-creator Craig Mazin was stunned to hear this for the first time during the panel and joked, “Wait, that was on the table? I totally would’ve done it for millions of dollars!”

Isabela Merced Draws from Real Life for Dina’s Role

Newcomer Isabela Merced, who portrays Dina — Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) girlfriend — spoke about the emotional depth she brings to her characters. “We’re just projections of the people we love anyway,” she explained, sharing that she drew inspiration from her own mother: “She’s very maternal, in touch with her emotions, and deeply caring — just like Dina.”

The Boys Gears Up for Its Final Episode

Creator Eric Kripke and actor Antony Starr represented The Boys, which is entering its final season. “We start the very final episode tomorrow,” Kripke told the crowd, prompting audible disappointment from fans. Starr, who plays the darkly complex Homelander, emphasized that their goal from the start was to avoid cartoonish villainy. “We built him from the inside out — his humanity is his kryptonite,” Starr explained.

Cobra Kai Says Goodbye

The Karate Kid universe officially came full circle as Cobra Kai completed its final season. Star William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) and co-creator Josh Heald reflected on the journey. Zabka admitted that letting go of control over the character was difficult. “There was a moment in Season 1 when I realized Johnny wasn’t mine anymore,” he said. “But their vision stretched me as an actor, and when it finally aired — they nailed it.”

Dark Matter Highlights the Writer-Actor Collaboration

Representing Dark Matter were stars Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, and creator Blake Crouch. The series, adapted from Crouch’s novel, centers on themes of identity and choice. “Actors need guardrails,” Edgerton stated. “Blake’s script gives us the car — we just get to drive it.” Crouch emphasized the synergy between writing and performance, reinforcing the collaborative nature of modern TV storytelling.

Other Highlights

• Doc star Scott Wolf, showrunner Barbie Kligman, and executive producer Hank Steinberg discussed character development and emotional arcs.

• Long Bright River brought together showrunner Nikki Toscano and author Liz Moore to explore the adaptation process.

• The Night Agent creator Shawn Ryan and Outlander executive producer Maril Davis also took part.

• A special stunt panel featured John Koyama (The Boys), Ken Barefield (Cobra Kai), and Josh Fried (The Night Agent), highlighting the often overlooked art of action choreography.

Final Thoughts

Sony Pictures Television’s FYC event underscored the depth, diversity, and innovation behind some of today’s most talked-about series. From the emotional resonance of The Last of Us to the explosive drama of The Boys and the nostalgic farewell of Cobra Kai, it was a night that celebrated the power of storytelling — and the collaborative spirit that brings it to life.