What happened to Jesse in The Last of Us? Here's everything we know about the character till now 

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are back as Joel and Ellie, along with some new faces, in the highly anticipated The Last of Us Season 2, which premiered on HBO and Max yesterday, April 13, 2025.

The season kicks off five years after the events of Season 1, and now Ellie and Joel are living in a peaceful, well-guarded town called Jackson, Wyoming. While the surroundings may seem calm, there are a lot of problems going on, especially when it comes to Ellie (now 19 years old) and her bond with Joel.

The episode begins with Ellie fighting a huge man inside a barn, but don't worry. She was just practicing, and her training is being taken care of by Young Mazino's new character named Jesse.

After the match, Jesse casually tells Ellie that he asked her opponent to go easy on her. Why? Because he didn’t want her getting knocked out and "don't want to have to explain that to Joel".

This annoys Ellie. She clearly wants to be treated seriously, not protected like a kid. Jesse then reminds her about a community event happening that evening, which she eventually attends.

This way, The Last of Us Season 2 introduced fans and viewers to new characters like Jesse. Keep reading to learn more about him in the TV series and the acclaimed video game.

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Who is Jesse in The Last of Us Season 2? Exploring Young Mazino's character

Jesse is one of the key new characters introduced in Season 2 of The Last of Us, and he’s played by actor Young Mazino. He’s not just another face in the crowd—Jesse is one of the most dependable and caring members of the Jackson community, which is a safe town where Ellie and others live.

He’s someone the entire community looks up to because of how calmly and selflessly he handles both danger and emotional tension. He isn’t flashy or loud, but he plays a big role in keeping things together. Both in terms of actual security and the emotional bonds among the characters.

As seen in The Last of Us Season 2 premiere, Jesse is portrayed as a leader-like personality in the community. He's also an important part of the HBO series due to his connection to Ellie and Dina (with whom he had a complicated love relationship).

It's revealed that Jesse and Dina were once a couple, but by the time The Last of Us Season 2 starts, they’re no longer officially together. Still, there’s a lingering emotional connection between them.

Things become tricky as Ellie has feelings for Dina, and the two even kissed during the event in the community. So now, Jesse finds himself caught in the middle of an unspoken emotional triangle.

Also Read: Where was The Last Of Us filmed? Filming locations of HBO'S post-apocalyptic drama, explored

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Young Mazino sheds light on Jesse in The Last of Us Season 2

As previously mentioned, Beef star Young Mazino appears as Jesse in The Last of Us Season 2, a strong figure involved in keeping Jackson safe. Jesse is one of the people who go out on patrols to protect the settlement from infected threats and any other dangers.

Since HBO has only released the first episode, fans will learn more about the new characters in the upcoming episodes. Mazino was asked to reflect on Jesse's presence in Season 2, to which the actor said:

"Jesse is a stalwart member of the community, and really just in the grind of things trying to keep his community afloat."

Young Mazino continued:

"I think even in the beginning of the season, Jackson has been around for some time now, and they’re starting to get a larger and larger influx of refugees looking for a sanctuary, and so there’s a lot of work to be done."

The Opus star described Jesse as the "pillar of the community" in The Last of Us Season 2. But beyond his duties, he also plays an emotional support role, especially for Ellie.

Jesse encourages her, gives her space to figure herself out, and tries to keep things grounded while the relationships around them become more intense and complicated.

While Jesse plays a vital role in the story, his path in the video game takes a surprisingly emotional turn. Those familiar with the game know just how deeply it hits.

So, don't miss out on the new episodes of The Last of Us Season 2, with Episode 2 scheduled to come out on April 20, 2025, on HBO and Max.

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Also Read: “Walked into a piece of plywood”: When Pedro Pascal got injured while filming The Mandalorian

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