HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Third Season Faces Backlash Over Casting Trans Lead with Cis Actor

When HBO announced the cast for the third season of The Last of Us, excitement quickly turned to disappointment for many fans. The decision to cast Kyriana Kratter, a cisgender actress, as Lev—a trans boy whose identity is central to the story—has sparked a heated debate about representation, authenticity, and the responsibilities of adapting beloved source material.

The Casting Decision and Its Immediate Fallout

Kyriana Kratter, known for her role in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, will portray Lev, while Michelle Mao from Bridgerton takes on the role of Yara. Lev is a key character introduced in The Last of Us Part II, a trans boy whose journey shapes the narrative arc of the game. The producers cited that Kratter “best embodied the character,” yet the choice has been widely criticized for sidelining trans talent in a story that celebrates trans visibility.

Fans and critics alike point out that the original game cast Ian Alexander, a trans actor, as Lev. This casting decision was celebrated as a milestone for trans representation in mainstream media. By contrast, the television adaptation’s choice feels like a step backward, especially when the showrunner, Craig Mazin, has been accused of repeatedly misinterpreting the source material.

Why Trans Representation Matters in Adaptations

Trans characters are often written with limited depth, and when they appear, the industry has a responsibility to cast actors who share that lived experience. Authentic representation can:

• Provide visibility and role models for trans audiences.
• Ensure nuanced performances that capture the complexities of gender identity.
• Combat harmful stereotypes that arise when cis actors portray trans roles.
• Encourage industry-wide inclusivity by demonstrating that trans talent can lead mainstream projects.

Historically, cis actors have won awards for playing trans characters—Hilary Swank and Eddie Redmayne, for instance—but these performances often come at the expense of trans actors who were denied the opportunity in the first place. The backlash against Kratter’s casting reflects a broader frustration with a pattern of exclusion that persists across Hollywood.

The Legacy of the Original Game’s Casting Choices

When Naughty Dog released The Last of Us Part II, they made a conscious decision to cast a trans actor for a trans role. Ian Alexander’s portrayal of Lev was praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. The game’s developers, led by Neil Druckmann, emphasized that Lev’s gender identity was integral to his character arc and to the story’s exploration of identity and belonging.

With Druckmann no longer involved in the third season, the adaptation has lost a key advocate for faithful representation. Critics argue that the show’s deviation from the game’s casting choices signals a broader disregard for the source material’s inclusive intentions.

Key Concerns Highlighted by the Fan Community

1. Loss of Authentic Voice – Casting a cis actor for a trans role risks diluting the lived experience that informs Lev’s story.

2. Missed Opportunity for Trans Actors – The role could have provided a high-profile platform for a trans performer, yet it was given to a cis actress.

3. Inconsistency with Game’s Narrative – Lev’s gender identity is a narrative cornerstone; changing the actor type undermines the story’s integrity.

4. Industry Precedent – This decision may encourage future adaptations to favor cis actors over trans talent, perpetuating systemic bias.

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