The Last of Us Season 3 Casting of Lev Sparks Controversy Over Trans Representation

HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us continues to generate buzz as production moves forward on Season 3. While fans eagerly anticipate the continuation of Joel and Ellie’s story, a recent casting announcement has ignited heated discussions about representation in Hollywood.

The controversy centers on the character of Lev, a pivotal figure from The Last of Us Part II who was originally portrayed by transgender actor Ian Alexander in the video game. The show’s decision to cast a cisgender actress in the role has left many questioning whether the production team lived up to its stated commitment to inclusive casting.

The Casting Announcement

According to reporting from Deadline, Kyriana Kratter has been cast as Lev for Season 3 of HBO’s The Last of Us. The character will be depicted as a 13-year-old transgender boy, just as he appears in Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed video game. Kratter, who is 15 years old, previously gained recognition for her breakout role as KB in Disney+’s Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

Joining Kratter in the cast is Michelle Mao, who will portray Yara, Lev’s older sister. The siblings play crucial roles in The Last of Us Part II, forming an emotional connection with Abby Anderson during her journey across post-apocalyptic America.

While Kratter’s acting credentials are well-established following her Star Wars performance, the casting decision has attracted significant criticism from fans and advocacy groups who argue that the role should have gone to a transgender actor.

A History of Representation in the Games

The character of Lev holds particular significance in the gaming community. In The Last of Us Part II, Naughty Dog made a deliberate choice to cast Ian Alexander, a transgender actor, in the role. This decision was widely praised as a milestone for authentic representation in video games, particularly for a major AAA title.

Alexander’s performance as Lev received acclaim from both critics and fans. The character’s storyline—exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and family within the brutal world of the game—resonated deeply with many players. Lev’s journey as a young transgender person navigating a hostile world was seen as groundbreaking for its authenticity and emotional depth.

The contrast between Naughty Dog’s casting choice and HBO’s decision has become a focal point of the current debate. Many argue that if the video game adaptation truly wanted to honor the spirit of the source material, it would have followed the same approach to representation.

The Inclusive Casting Call Question

According to Deadline’s original reporting, HBO’s production team did hold what was described as an “inclusive casting call” for the role. The report indicated that “young actors of different backgrounds” auditioned for the part of Lev.

Despite this inclusive approach, the production ultimately selected Kratter, who is cisgender. This outcome has led some to question what “inclusive casting” truly means when it comes to practice versus principle.

The discussion extends beyond this single role. Hollywood has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over casting decisions involving LGBTQ+ characters. While many productions have made strides in representation, critics argue that authentic representation—casting actual members of the communities being portrayed—remains inconsistent across the industry.

Neil Druckmann’s Absence from Season 3

Another layer to this story involves Neil Druckmann, the creative director at Naughty Dog who co-showran the first two seasons of the HBO adaptation alongside Craig Mazin. Druckmann was instrumental in bringing The Last of Us to the screen and oversaw the show’s approach to adapting the game’s characters and storylines.

However, Druckmann is not involved in the production of Season 3. According to reports, he departed from the show following creative differences. This means the decisions being made about characters like Lev are being made without the input of the person who originally created the character and cast Alexander in the role.

Some fans have noted this absence as particularly relevant to the casting controversy, arguing that Druckmann’s involvement might have led to a different outcome for the role of Lev.