Fans of the video game-turned-TV-series “The Last of Us” were treated to a delightful surprise in the latest episode, “When We Are in Need”. Troy Baker, the original voice actor for Joel Miller in the game, made a cameo appearance as James, the right-hand man to the cannibalistic preacher David. While his character met a gruesome end in the episode, fans on Twitter were overjoyed to see him return to the franchise in some form.
Baker’s performance in the video game earned him numerous awards, so it’s no wonder that his voice was quickly recognized in the TV adaptation, despite him playing a different character. Some fans even compared Baker’s portrayal of Joel to Pedro Pascal’s take on the character, as the two actors appear in the same episode.
In an interview with Vulture, Baker expressed his admiration for Pascal’s portrayal of Joel, noting that the actor brings a vulnerability to the character that was difficult to achieve in the game. As for the latest episode, Baker was excited to see Bella Ramsey’s Ellie “flex” and showcase her capabilities, which he describes as “terrifying”.
The episode sees Ellie and Joel fighting for their lives once again, with Ellie ultimately taking James’ life in a memorable and gruesome scene. Fans on Twitter had a field day with the moment, creating memes and expressing their surprise and delight at Baker’s cameo.
“The Last of Us” continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling storyline and talented cast, with the next episode airing on HBO in the US and on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.