Catherine O’Hara discusses her role in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, working with Pedro Pascal, and filming challenges on ‘The Studio’

Catherine O’Hara opens up about her intense role as Gail, a therapist in the post-apocalyptic world of ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2. Gail is a unique character, the only mental health professional in Jackson, Wyoming, who offers her therapy services in exchange for pot and alcohol. O’Hara shares how her character’s relationship with Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) reveals deep emotional tension, especially after Joel kills Gail’s husband, Eugene, to protect the community. She talks about her experience working with Pascal and Bella Ramsey, praising their acting talents and comparing them to legendary actress Meryl Streep. O’Hara also reflects on her approach to playing a character who self-medicates without appearing drunk, wanting to maintain authenticity and emotional connection. Additionally, she discusses the filming process of ‘The Studio,’ an Apple TV+ comedy she also stars in, revealing she caught COVID during production but continued working carefully. O’Hara expresses uncertainty about returning for future seasons of ‘The Last of Us’ but highlights the significance of her character’s story within the show. The interview offers insight into her preparation, the emotional weight of her scenes, and the collaborative environment with the cast and crew.