The Human Side Behind The Last of Us: Noah Lamanna’s Revealing Set Experience
You’d think filming a massive show like The Last of Us would leave little room for moments of vulnerability, but for Noah Lamanna, there was a point when reality and fiction completely blurred. Most fans know Lamanna from Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia, yet it’s their time on HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 that’s given them something much more personal to talk about. Playing Kat, who’s crucial to Ellie’s storyline as her ex-girlfriend, Noah found themselves in a scene so powerful, it shook them out of the usual routine of making television.
During the pivotal scene filmed in Berkeley, California, Lamanna describes an ‘out of body’ experience. Sharing that space with Pedro Pascal—who brings the character of Joel to life—wasn’t just another day at work. For Noah, working directly with Pascal under that high-stakes, emotionally loaded atmosphere brought out layers in their own performance. "It was like time stopped," Lamanna recalled. "Everything—the set, the people, the cameras—fell away. Suddenly it was just me, Pedro, and the story between us."
Authenticity and Representation on Set
Most stories stop at the famous faces, but there’s a deeper impact cooking behind the scenes. As a nonbinary actor, Lamanna brings more than just talent to the table. They’re careful and intentional about telling stories that feel real, particularly ones that reflect authentic LGBTQIA+ experiences. While portraying Kat, Lamanna leaned on their own life and identity to deepen the connection with their character. That sense of lived reality, they say, isn’t just good for the role—it pushes the whole production toward something true.
Working in an industry where diversity often gets reduced to a check-box, Lamanna noticed that being nonbinary influenced everything—how they related to their role, their co-stars, and even the conversations on set. "There’s an extra layer of caring, a drive to make sure the story we’re telling isn’t just story, but something that matters to someone watching," they shared. It wasn’t just a personal win but something that meant a lot for viewers who rarely see people like themselves on shows of this scale.
Lamanna’s ‘out of body’ moment isn’t just an anecdote from a day of filming. It sums up what’s happening in the industry—actors fighting for space where complex, genuine stories take the front seat. And when performers like Lamanna step forward, they help reset the standard for what authentic representation can and should look like in popular media.