The Last of Us creator rules out return of two fan favourite characters

"We are very happy with what we achieved.”

The undisputed highlight of the first season of HBO's hit adaptation of video game The Last of Us was its third episode, titled 'Long, Long Time'. Taking its title from the Linda Ronstadt song of the same name, the episode shifted focus away from the post-apocalyptic show's lead characters Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). This was to detail the 20-year love story between Bill (Nick Offerman), a misanthropic survivalist, and Frank (Murray Bartlett), a friendlier fellow survivor that comes to him for help. Adored by critics and fans alike - JOE called it "one of the greatest hours of TV ever made" - Offerman was honoured this month with an Emmy in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category for his work in 'Long, Long Time'. After accepting the award, publication Deadline asked the performer if the characters of Bill and Frank could return in The Last of Us season two through flashbacks. In response, Offerman jokingly said: “It certainly has been pitched. I think we pitched a whole mini-series of a prequel of their lives before they met each other. It could be a musical. We’re not short on ideas. "We’ll just we’ll see what [co-creators] Craig [Mazin] and Neil [Druckmann] come up with."

(WATCH) Nick Offerman speaks with Deadline's @SocialRosy after accepting #CreativeArtsEmmys award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series pic.twitter.com/avUmEJQ6wJ

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 7, 2024

According to Deadline, however, Mazin ruled out such a return for Bill and Frank at a HBO post-Emmy party on Monday night. He told the outlet: "I’m very proud of the episode we did with Bill and Frank. There won’t be more Bill and Frank. “Nick was joking about a prequel, that was kind of a joke. We are very happy with what we achieved.” In more positive news, The Last of Us' second season is set to begin production early next month. Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart), Isabela Merced (Sicario 2) and Young Mazino (Beef) have joined the cast for the sophomore batch of episodes. Join JOE’s WhatsApp community for first access to news, updates, and quizzes. Click on this link to receive news and the latest headlines directly to your phone. You can leave the group at any time. Read more:

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