The Last of Us Season 2 Emmy Submissions: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey & Episode 202 Lead the Race
The Last of Us Season 2 Emmy Nominations: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey & Episode 202 Lead the Charge
Following its Season 2 finale, The Last of Us has officially submitted its lineup for the 2025 Emmy Awards, confirming 33 entries across major categories. The acclaimed HBO drama is aiming high once again, with submissions spanning Outstanding Drama Series, 10 acting categories, and several key technical awards.
Pedro Pascal Stays in the Lead Actor Race
Despite the shocking death of Joel in Episode 202 “Through the Valley”, Pedro Pascal has opted to remain in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category. This follows a similar strategy used by Brian Cox in Succession, whose early-season character death still earned him a nomination.
Pascal’s performance, including a powerful flashback appearance, earned him a nod in 2023 and is expected to be a strong contender again.
Bella Ramsey Returns as a Front-Runner
No surprise here — Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, is once again in the running for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her expanded arc in Season 2 has placed her among this year’s top contenders.
Supporting & Guest Acting Submissions
The 2025 Emmy slate includes new and returning cast members:
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Isabela Merced (Dina),
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Young Mazino (Jesse),
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Gabriel Luna (Tommy) – all vying for Supporting Actor/Actress honors.
The Guest Acting categories are stacked once again, echoing the show’s 2023 wins for Nick Offerman and Storm Reid. This year’s entries include:
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Kaitlyn Dever (Abby) – Episode 202 “Through the Valley”
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Catherine O’Hara (Gail) – Episode 201 “Future Days”
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Jeffrey Wright (Isaac) – Episode 204 “Day One”
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Tony Dalton (Javier) – Episode 206 “The Price”
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Joe Pantoliano (Eugene) – Episode 206 “The Price”
Writing and Directing Spotlight on Episode 202
Episode 202 “Through the Valley”, known for its emotional punch and Joel’s death, is at the heart of the show’s awards campaign:
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Craig Mazin – submitted for Outstanding Writing
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Mark Mylod – submitted for Outstanding Directing
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Neil Druckmann – submitted for Directing Episode 206 “The Price”
Craft and Technical Category Submissions
The Last of Us is also aiming to repeat its 2023 dominance in technical categories, submitting in:
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Outstanding Production Design – Episode 204 “Day One”
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Outstanding Contemporary Costume Design – Episode 202
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Outstanding Picture Editing – Episode 202
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Outstanding Makeup & Hairstyling – Episodes 202 & 204
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Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup – Episode 205
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Outstanding Sound Editing & Mixing – Episode 202
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Outstanding Special Visual Effects – Entire Season
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Outstanding Cinematography – Episode 206
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Outstanding Music Supervision & Composition – Episodes 201 & 206
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Stunt Coordination – Episode 201
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Stunt Performances – Across 4 episodes
Emmy Momentum Builds After 2023 Success
In 2023, The Last of Us landed 24 nominations and 8 Emmy wins, including awards in both guest acting categories. With strong performances and masterful storytelling in Season 2, the show is positioned once again as a major contender.
Final Thoughts on The Last of Us Season 2 Emmy Nominations
With Episode 202 “Through the Valley” as its emotional and technical centerpiece, The Last of Us Season 2 Emmy nominations reflect the show’s ambition to continue shaping prestige television. From Pedro Pascal to Bella Ramsey, and from directing to design, the series proves it’s not just surviving the apocalypse — it’s dominating awards season.
