Troy Baker explains how The Last of Us showrunners interpreted the video game’s storyline for TV

HBO’s The Last of Us is its new record-breaking steamroller; surpassing television ratings and viewership records with every new episode. The season 1 finale aired on Sunday and the fans are still reeling with the after-effects of the traumatic events that Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) just went through. The video game’s original Joel actor, Troy Baker, who had a minor role in the penultimate episode, recently talked about the thought process of the showrunners behind every episode.

How does Neil Druckmann decide which storylines are to be adapted?

In an interview with The Verge, Baker said, “I think, No. 1, it’s a story that is relatable because it’s a story about love. It’s not a story about the apocalypse or about the infected. It’s not a story about anything other than a love between a father and a daughter. The combination of Neil [Druckmann] and Craig together is, in part, the large reason for our success, because Neil’s philosophy is “what’s the least amount that I can write that can communicate what’s at stake and what my intention is with this scene.” 

How does Craig Mazin flesh out individual characters from The Last of Us video game?

Baker said this about Mazin, “Craig, his philosophy is “what are they thinking, what are they feeling, and how can I most honestly display that?” And I’ve been given writing notes from Craig, and he gave me one of the best pieces of advice that I would pass on to any writer, which is don’t be clever, just be honest. On every page, in every scene, with every character, in every episode.”

What can we expect from The Last of Us Season 2?

Showrunner Craig Mazin teased the reporters about what’s to come in Season 2, “Sometimes it will be different radically and sometimes it will be barely different at all, but it’s going to be different and it will be its own thing. It won’t be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil and I want to make. We are making it with Bella.”

Read Next: Bella Ramsey will continue playing Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2