
The Final of Us is just not pulling any punches. As many of the world is aware of by now, episode 2 of season 2 killed off one main character: Joel Miller (performed by Pedro Pascal). The heartbreaking scene reveals Ellie (Bella Ramsey) sobbing as she watches her surrogate father die by the hands of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). Although followers of the unique online game knew his demise was coming, they didn’t suppose it might come so quickly. So, why did HBO kill off Joel in season 2?
Under, Hollywood Life is breaking down every thing we learn about Joel’s on-screen demise.
Is Joel Actually Lifeless in The Final of Us?
Sure, Joel was brutally overwhelmed and fatally stabbed by Abby in Season 2, Episode 2. After his demise, Ellie and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) carry his physique again to city. Whereas Joel is not alive within the present’s current timeline, his story isn’t over. Pascal will proceed to look all through the season in flashbacks.

Why Did They Kill off Joel in The Final of Us?
The reply is easy: The Final of Us kills off Joel as a result of the online game does the identical, and the HBO adaptation follows the storyline. Followers all the time knew that Joel would die, as did Pedro, which the actor advised Leisure Weekly after that surprising episode aired in April 2025.
“It’s not like they mentioned, ‘Hey, we kill you initially of season 2,’ nevertheless it was all the time an understanding that it might keep true to the supply materials in a particular manner and that the, let’s say, sensible and unique obligation could be for season 1,” Pedro advised the publication. “It was only a matter of how and when.”
In season 2, episode 2, Abby and the final of the Fireflies search out Joel to avenge the deaths of the individuals he killed: troopers and the physician who was going to separate Ellie open, who occurred to be Abby’s father. Abby unintentionally stumbles upon Joel within the frigid blizzard whereas a ferocious pack of Cordyceps monsters are on the prowl. She lures Joel and Dina (Isabela Merced) again to a lodge the place the opposite Fireflies are hiding, the place they knock out Dina, and Abby beats Joel. Ellie finds them and makes an attempt to shoot Abby, however one of many Fireflies holds her down whereas she watches Joel die a bloody demise. As they go away the room, Ellie vows to kill them.
Learn how to Watch The Final of Us
All episodes of The Final of Us can be found to observe on HBO and to stream on Max.
What Time Does The Final of Us Episodes Air?
Every new episode of The Final of Us airs on HBO and Max at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT on Sundays.
Is There a Season 3 of The Final of Us?
Sure, HBO renewed The Final of Us for season 3.