Eugene may only be mentioned in the game The Last of Us Part II, but the HBO adaptation puts him in the spotlight

Eugene may have only been briefly mentioned in the video game The Last of Us Part II, but the HBO adaptation puts his story at the forefront. In the second season, he is given a more developed storyline and strong connections with key characters such as Joel and Gale. His death — and the emotional consequences it brings — already create tension in Jackson and offer a deeper look at life in the world after the outbreak.

Learn more about the actor behind Eugene and how his storyline unfolds in the series below.

Eugene, played by Joe Pantoliano, is a former Firefly and experienced marijuana grower. In the HBO series, he is portrayed as Gale’s husband and a resident of Jackson. Although Eugene is mentioned in The Last of Us Part II video game, he never appears on screen.

Pantoliano, an Emmy award winner, is known for his roles in TV series such as The Sopranos, The Matrix, Memento, and the Bad Boys franchise