The highly anticipated Season 2 of The Last of Us has introduced several new faces, but one character stands out—Gail, played by Schitt’s Creek’s Catherine O’Hara. Unlike many characters in the HBO adaptation, Gail doesn’t appear in the original video games, making her a fresh addition to the story.
So, who is she, and why does she matter? Here’s a breakdown of what Gail’s role is, how she is related to The Last of Us game, and more.
Who is Gail in The Last of Us and is she in the games?
In The Last of Us Season 2, Gail serves as the therapist in Jackson, the fortified settlement run by Tommy and Maria. Jackson is one of the few remaining civilized communities in a world overrun by infected, and it boasts an organized society with a tavern, governance, and even mental health services—something rarely seen in the wasteland.
In Episode 1 of The Last of Us Season 2, viewers learn that Joel has been attending therapy sessions with Gail in an attempt to mend his strained relationship with Ellie. However, these sessions are far from conventional. Instead of sterile, professional meetings, Joel and Gail engage in brutally honest conversations—often while drinking—and exchange therapy for scavenged goods.
While Gail herself is an original character, she has a connection to The Last of Us Part II through her late husband, Eugene. In the game, Eugene was a former Firefly who abandoned his first wife, Claire, and their daughter. The TV series changes this backstory, revealing that Gail married Eugene in Jackson before his death.
Even more intriguing is The Last of Us Season 2 twist on Eugene’s fate. Unlike the game, where he dies of natural causes, the series suggests that Joel may have killed Eugene during a patrol, fueling Gail’s resentment toward him.
