Published on March 27, 2026
HBO has made another controversial casting choice as it announces new additions to the cast of the third season of ‘The Last of Us,’ one of its most successful series. The focus of the debate is on the character Lev, a transgender boy whose identity is crucial to the storyline in the original video game, ‘The Last of Us Part II.’
In this television adaptation, while the character will remain transgender, he will be portrayed by a cisgender actress. This decision has sparked significant debate among fans of the video game. Although HBO claims to have conducted an inclusive casting process, many are questioning whether the essence of the character is being genuinely respected.
From my perspective, it would have been more beneficial to cast a transgender actor for the role, not only for the sake of representation but also for coherence with a story that places this aspect at the core of its narrative. Nonetheless, we must wait and see the final result, especially since the series has shown notable care in its adaptations so far.
The actress chosen for the role of Lev is Kyriana Kratter, known for her appearance in ‘Star Wars: Lost Crew.’ In the story, Lev is one of the protagonists in Ab’s arc (played ). It’s important to note that Lev is not just any secondary character. In the video game, his identity as a transgender boy is essential to understanding his development: he escapes from a violent religious sect that rejects him and attempts to impose upon him an identity that does not align with who he truly is.
According to Deadline, HBO conducted an inclusive casting call with diverse young actors. Initially, the producers asserted that Kratter was “the best representation” of the character, a phrase that has since been removed from the current version of the article.
This selection has reignited previous criticisms about casting choices, similar to those that arose with Abby. I believe that perhaps the choice of Kyriana Kratter to play Lev is not the most fitting.
While she is undoubtedly a talented actress who will likely do an incredible job with the character, this choice may ultimately undermine the representation of trans individuals that was so thoughtfully portrayed in the video game. Casting a transgender actor would have given the character a certain authenticity and strength, accurately reflecting his internal struggle and identity. However, we will need to see how HBO handles the story and if they are able to convey the complexity of Lev beyond the choice of the actor portraying him.
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