Does Joel die in The Last of Us?

The Last of Us has seen something major deaths already, but what does the future hold for Joel? Let’s look to the video game for answers.

Joel in The Last of Us has already experienced a lot of loss in the space of just six episodes. Of course, we know that there’s a 20-year time jump in the midst of those episodes, but from losing his daughter to losing Tess, we’ve seen him go through a lot over the past few weeks. He also thought he had lost his brother Tommy, but as the sixth episode reveals, that isn’t the case.

One thing he refuses to lose, however, is Ellie. Determined to protect her, he wanted to get the job done at first. But now, it’s clear that he cares for her, and would die to protect her. But will he do that? Does Joel die in HBO’s The Last of Us?

To find out the true answer to that question, we’ll have to look at the source material. So if you don’t mind having the video game spoiled for you, here’s what Joel’s fate could look like in the TV series if it follows the game’s example.

*** This article contains SPOILERS from The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II ***

Is Joel going to die in The Last of Us season 1?

If you’re worried about whether Joel will die in The Last of Us‘ first season, you’ll be glad to know that isn’t likely. The series’ first season will adapt the first video game, and in that particular game, both Joel and Ellie make it out alive, meaning that, yes, Pedro Pascal will likely be appearing on the show throughout the remainder of its first season.

Does Joel die in The Last of Us video game?

While Joel does survive the events of the very first Last of Us video game, you’ll be sad to learn that he dies in the sequel The Last of Us Part II. The story then shifts to Ellie, as she adapts and learns how to survive without him protecting her.

Taking that into account, we wouldn’t be surprised if Pedro Pascal’s character is killed off in similar fashion in the second season of the HBO and HBO Max series. The show has changed some of the events that went down in the video game (specifically Bill and Frank’s story) but has remained faithful to the primary story of the game, so it’s unlikely to change Joel’s tragic fate.

Are you sad that Joel dies in The Last of Us video game? Do you think his death on the show will play out in similar fashion? Let us know in the comments below!