Warning: Includes SPOILERS for The Last of Us season 2, episode 7, and for The Last of Us Part II video game!

The Last of Us season 2 was divisive, with Joel's death early in the season leading to mixed feelings about the show's direction going forward. The HBO drama is adapted from a video game franchise consisting of two titles, but the network is planning a four-season arc, with The Last of Us Part II video game divided into three television seasons. This will mean a compelling but risky change in season 3.

The Last of Us season 2's ending suggests, Abby's story will begin three days before the climactic theater confrontation, revealing what Abby has been up to while Ellie has been in Seattle. This might be difficult for TV fans to grasp, as it represents a notable narrative departure.

Derek Phillips Is The Perfect Actor To Play Abby's Dad In The Last Of Us Season 3

Jerry Anderson Is A Critical Character In The Last Of Us Game

Technically, we've already seen Abby's dad in The Last of Us TV show, with actor Darren Dolynski playing the role of "Surgeon" in The Last of Us season 1 finale, appearing briefly before Joel killed him. Season 3, however, could return to a legacy video game actor by casting Derek Phillips in the role of Jerry Anderson. Phillips played the character in The Last of Us Part II, and he managed to be a major highlight despite only appearing in a brief part of the game. His kind, loving heart adds so much emotion to the series.

Phillips played the character in The Last of Us Part II, and he managed to be a major highlight despite only appearing in a brief part of the game.

Aside from The Last of Us, Derek Phillips is a character actor who's worked on dozens of film, television, and video game roles. He was fantastic as Billy Riggins throughout all of NBC's Emmy-winning sports drama, Friday Night Lights, and he's appeared on other shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Terminal List, and Longmire. He's an excellent actor, and despite it being a motion-capture performance, his role as Jerry in The Last of Us includes some of the most outstanding work he's ever done.

Derek Phillips would be yet another Last of Us video game actor to the show, with stars like Jeffrey Wright reprising their roles from the games. While Jeffrey Wright was transformed into Isaac using motion capture technology, Jerry Anderson is more or less just Derek Phillips. The 49-year-old actor's appearance is barely changed for Jerry, making the transition from game to television practically seamless.

Casting Jerry Anderson Correctly Is Crucial To Abby's Story In The Last Of Us Season 3

The Audience Needs To Sympathize With Abby

After The Last of Us season 2's mixed reviews, winning both fans of the game and television audiences back over is going to be paramount in season 3. Kaitlyn Dever and the other ing actors who ed the cast for season 2, playing Abby and her crew, all seem fantastic, and their chemistry and charisma will be a major asset in ensuring a more acclaimed season. However, to win over game fans, casting someone familiar like Derek Phillips to play Jerry Anderson could be a fantastic move.

Jerry Anderson is a crucial character for The Last of Us season 3 to get right, as he's a significant component of Abby's emotional narrative. The purpose of season 3 will be to build sympathy for Abby, challenging fans to empathize with the woman who murdered Joel in such a brutal fashion. To do that, it's critical that the audience gets to see the person Joel killed in The Last of Us season 1's ending. Derek Phillips delivers a beautiful degree of humanity to Jerry Anderson, which is precisely what the show needs.