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The 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards proved to be a wonderful affair for HBO’sThe Last of Us.The Pedro Pascal-starrer clinched the greatest number of wins on Night 1 of the Emmy Awards season, with one in the ‘Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series’ category. Among the many guest appearances in the HBO show, Nick Offerman bagged the win with his remarkable portrayal of survivalist and Frank’s lover, Bill.
Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann took the risk of spinning a plot on veteran game characters Bill and Frank’s relationship in the series. Safe to say, it was the greatest decision made as the characters have earned a special place in the fans’ hearts. After Season 1 ofThe Last of Usconcluded with a season finale in early March 2023, fans have been keen on Bill and Frank’s future in the show. Hence, Offerman’s revelation at the Emmy lit a kindle of hope on the endearing love story’s fate.
Also read:“Because I’m really sick”: The Last of Us Craig Mazin Deliberately Made Child Clicker Extremely Terrifying to Get a Contrast Between Innocence and Horror
The Last of Us’s Bill and Frank to get the limelight
A grand win of eight Emmys at the 2023 season surely setsThe Last of Usapart from the crowd of other compelling TV shows. With the buzz of Season 2 taking center stage, fans seemed curious about beloved characters, Bill and Frank, returning in the sequel season. Frank and Bill die together by taking sleeping pills after the former decides it would be his last day. The heartbreaking storyline was depicted in the sole episode dedicated to their tragic love story, Episode 3 titled, “Long, Long Time.” However, fans wouldn’t mind even a flashback form of storytelling, as long as Bill and Frank are in it.
After his award reception,Nick Offermanoffered a candid insight into the characters’ future in the post-apocalyptic drama. The 53-year-old actor toldDeadline,
“Oh, great question but I would have to ask somebody with a higher pay grade than myself. It certainly has been pitched. I think we pitched a whole mini-series of a prequel of their lives before they met each other. It could be a musical. We’re not short on ideas. We’ll just we’ll see what Craig [Mazin] and Neil [Druckmann] come up with.”
Throwing the ball in the creators’ court, Offerman hardly let any minutes slip out on what they might be planning for Bill and Frank. Instead, he teased great possibilities, including a spin-off series based on the star-crossed lovers, or even a musical. Regardless, Offerman openly expressed his admiration for Bill and didn’t deny that he would be keen on reprising his character inThe Last of Usanytime in the future.
Also read:The Last of Us Star Bella Ramsey Fuels Fan Debate of Her Ellie Casting after Revealing She Just Started Playing the Game: “It’s actually not as weird as I thought it’d be”
What inspired the idea of Bill and Frank’s love story?
For a game-themed series, majorly based on violence, death, and disease, the touching yet heartbreaking love affair of Bill and Frank might seem like an outcast. Yet, fans couldn’t help but be attached to the characters in a single episode itself, withPedro Pascal‘s Joel andBella Ramsey‘s Ellie boiled down to supporting roles in the episode. Now, a whole prequel might be based on it. It is interesting to know what tipped off the showrunners Mazin and Druckmann to spin the love story in such a manner. In aZoom conversationwith Business Insider’s Kirsten Acuna, Mazin said,
“There’s this lovely thread that indicated this hint of a relationship between Bill and Frank in the game. I just suggested to Neil that maybe we pull that thread and we take it in a different direction in terms of the way it was depicted in the game…and how we could give these two men a win.”
Also read:“He has to lie to keep it going”: Pedro Pascal Confirms Joel Will Stoop Even Lower to Protect Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2
The intention behind their love story was to depict how humans can find a purpose even among the deadliest and darkest times of life. A ray of hope is what Bill and Frank brought to the world ofThe Last of Us.It deviated from the game’s theme but evidently, the risk was worth it. Season 2 ofThe Last of Usis set to begin production in Spring 2024.
Tiyasa Biswas
Articles Published :203
Tiyasa Biswas is a Content Writer at FandomWire. With more than a year of expertise in content spanning over multiple fields: entertainment, sports and features, Tiyasa seeks to bring her flair to the world of fandom. Her journalistic works have garnered significant viewership, with her articles gauging a worldwide audience.
