Behind the Scenes: The Last of Us Marlene Actor's Emotional Journey Unveiled!

Summary

The Last of Us series utilized the original game cast, including Merle Dandridge who played Marlene, for an authentic adaptation.

Dandridge had a deeply moving encounter when entering the realm of live-action, particularly considering the profound physical metamorphosis demanded by her character.

Given her character's demise, it is anticipated that Dandridge's involvement in The Last of Us season 2 will be limited. However, potential new characters from the game may make an appearance in the show.

Spoilers for The Last of Us season 1. The Last of Us successfully transformed a beloved video game into a captivating series, displaying a level of excellence and faithfulness to the source material that was rarely seen before. This achievement was recognized through its impressive 24 Emmy Award nominations, which included accolades for its talented cast, remarkable visual effects, and exceptional hair department. The success of the series can be attributed in part to the cinematic quality of the original video game, but credit must also be given to the show's creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who expertly found a delicate balance between staying true to the game and making necessary adaptations.

One notable aspect of the series that captured the essence of the game was the inclusion of the original game cast whenever possible. Many key actors from the game reprised their roles in the series, creating a seamless connection between the two mediums. For instance, Merle Dandridge, who portrayed Marlene in both the game and the show, reportedly had a deeply emotional experience transitioning into the live-action adaptation. Chris Glimsdale, the head of The Last of Us hair department, shared this insight in a recent interview with Screen Rant:

Chris Glimsdale observed that Merle (formerly Marlene) faced difficulty adjusting to the addition of gray hair due to its unfamiliarity and the changes it brought to the density and texture of her hair. Seeing herself age so dramatically compared to her usual beautiful appearance took some getting used to. When Merle's look was created, it was a realization that this transformation was both realistic and impactful for her. The transition from her natural hair texture to the wig's texture, as well as the density, curl type, and gray added, truly emphasized the character's essence. Despite having portrayed the character in the game for many years, this transformation brought forth a heightened sense of reality, causing Merle to nearly shed tears as she deeply connected with the character. Witnessing this was truly fascinating, especially considering that she played the same character in both the game and the show. It exemplified the incredible power of bringing a character to life.

What Makes Merle Dandridge’s Transition From Game To Series Different

Merle Dandridge stands out among the actors from The Last of Us game who made it into the HBO adaptation. Unlike the others, she is the only one portraying her game character in the show. While the original actors are given intriguing roles, such as Ashley Johnson briefly playing Ellie's mother, it is understandable that Dandridge would feel a particular connection to fully embodying her video game character for the first time.

Unfortunately, Dandridge's role in The Last of Us season 2 is expected to be minimal, as her character was killed by Joel in the finale. However, there will be plenty of new characters in The Last of Us season 2 to take her place. It will be interesting to see if any more game voice actors directly portray their characters in the show. Given the controversy surrounding The Last of Us Part II, it will also be intriguing to observe how these actors adjust (or don't) their performances for The Last of Us season 2.