The Last of Us’ Ashley Johnson shares her reaction to the season 2 backlash: “Sometimes that passion feels really great, and sometimes it feels not great”

The Last of Us actor Ashley Johnson, who surprised fans when she cameoed as Ellie’s ill-fated mom Anna in the HBO TV show, says she “understands” the backlash to season 2 – but that “sometimes it feels not great” when players’ passion for the games inspires such intense negativity.

When asked by The Direct about the response to the second chapter, Johnson, who brings Ellie to life in both Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II, said: “Yeah, I feel like with The Last of Us, people really love that story, including me, and it’s very, very passionate fans. And sometimes that passion feels really great, and sometimes it feels not great. But you know, I understand it. I understand loving something so much, and wanting it to be what you want it to be.”