Jesse is a main character in the second season of HBO‘s The Last of Us. Played by Beef star Young Mazino, Jesse stands out as a dependable leader in Jackson, known for his calm demeanor, protective instincts, and unwavering loyalty to those he cares about—especially Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and his former partner Dina (Isabela Merced). Throughout the season, Jesse is both a moral compass and a stabilizing force. He is always ready to put himself in danger to protect his friends. Season 2 finale of HBO’s The Last of Us shows that even strongholds can fall, and when Jesse walks through a theater door to find his friends, his fate is sealed in one terrible moment.
IS JESSE DEAD?
Yes. Jesse dies in The Last of Us Season 2 finale episode,‘Convergence’. His death is sudden and without warning. While assisting Ellie and Dina in tracking down Abby Anderson — the woman responsible for Joel’s murder — Jesse is shot in the head by Abby as he opens a door in the Pinnacle Theatre. He has no fight and no time to defend himself. There is only the sound of a gunshot and the painful end that comes after it.
The terrible things Jesse did earlier in the episode make this terrible moment even worse. He was more determined than ever to protect Ellie, Dina, and the unborn child after finding out that Dina was pregnant. This means that we have lost a man who always put others before himself, even if it meant giving up his own life.
WHAT HAPPENED TO JESSE IN THE LAST OF US SEASON 2?
To understand Jesse’s fate, we have to look at the chain of events that led up to that deadly moment in Seattle.
Jesse plays a big part in Season 2 of The Last of Us. From the start, he is shown to be a steady, selfless figure in Jackson’s world, where chaos is rising and the threat of the infected grows. Jesse was born in 2005, just two years after the outbreak started. He grew up in a world where people lived and died. He became a patrolman at just 16, and by 2028, he was the lead patrol officer, entrusted with coordinating the safety of the Jackson settlement.
His relationships with others in Jackson reveal a man who values connection and community. He trained Ellie and others in combat, kept secrets like Eugene’s hidden marijuana farm, and remained a vital support system during increasingly dangerous times. He had an on-and-off relationship with Dina. But Jesse never let his feelings get in the way of what was right, even after they broke up. He always did what was right.
The whole town is shocked when Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever) kills Joel (Pedro Pascal). Ellie is filled with vengeance, and Dina joins her in her search for justice. At first, Jesse stays behind, but when Ellie and Dina leave Jackson, he and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) follow them because they want to make sure they get home safely.
THE BUILD-UP TO JESSE’S DEATH
Jesse tracks Ellie and Dina all the way to Seattle. Once there, he teams up with Ellie and even saves her and Dina from a pack of infected. He continues to support them in navigating the hostile WLF-controlled city, despite the growing danger.
Jesse’s unwavering commitment to his friends is clear in every action. He’s not there for revenge; he’s there for rescue. He wants to get everyone — including the unborn child — back home safely. During their journey, he becomes a grounding presence, often the voice of reason when emotions run high.
As tensions rise, the group seeks shelter in the Pinnacle Theatre, a location they use as a base. But the threats from both the WLF and the mysterious and brutal Seraphites grow closer. Jesse wants to regroup with Tommy and bring the fight to an end — to escape Seattle before more blood is spilled.
But fate doesn’t give him that chance.
ABBY KILLED JESSE
The final moments of Jesse’s life are swift and shocking. While inside the Pinnacle Theatre with Ellie and Dina, the group hears a sudden disturbance. Without hesitation, Jesse moves to investigate — always the protector, always putting others first.
As he opens the theatre door, Abby Anderson is waiting on the other side. Armed, prepared, and filled with her own rage, she doesn’t hesitate. The moment the door opens, she shoots Jesse in the head, killing him instantly. He doesn’t even get the chance to react.
The shot is jarring, not just for its brutality, but for its lack of ceremony. Jesse’s death is not drawn out. There is no final speech, no emotional farewell. It’s the kind of senseless loss that feels all too real in the violent, unpredictable world of The Last of Us. The same way Joel died — suddenly and without mercy — Jesse’s death is another reminder that no one is truly safe.
THE AFTERMATH
After Jesse’s death, the remaining group is forced to scramble. Ellie is captured. Dina is left grieving. And Jackson loses one of its finest. His death becomes a turning point — not just emotionally, but narratively. It’s a moment that sets the tone for the rest of the season and shows just how dangerous and destructive the road ahead will be.
Even in his final moments, Jesse’s legacy lingers. The choices he made — to protect his friends, to follow them into danger, to care for his community — resonate long after his death. And though his time in Season 2 is cut short, his impact is unforgettable.
In an interview with Deadline, Bella Ramsey opened up about how Jesse’s murder haunts Ellie and deepens her internal conflict. “That grief is so immediate and there’s almost no time for her to process it,” Ramsey explained. “Obviously they’ve just had that conversation before where they’ve reached sort of a mutual understanding… Ellie has always been aware of Jesse not agreeing with her for a lot of the things that she’s done.” Ramsey continued, “I think she really feels like she’s the reason for all of this… now her loved ones, because of her monomaniacal need to kill Abby.”
Visit tvacute.com again soon for more updates, previews, and detailed breakdowns of The Last of Us and other HBO originals.
The Last Of Us Season 3: When Will It Return?
The Last Of Us Season 2 Ending Explained: Did Abby Kill Ellie?
What Happened In The Last Of Us Season 2 Finale? Ending Explained
The Last Of Us S2 Episode 5 Recap & Review: Ellie And Dina Face Deadly Seraphites In “Feel Her Love”
The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 4 Recap: “Day One” Ending Explained!
THE LAST OF US SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 RECAP: A WORLD WITHOUT JOEL
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Recap: Abby’s Revenge and Joel’s Tragic…
THE LAST OF US (FUTURE DAYS) RECAP: SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 — EXPLAINED
The Meaning Behind The Moth In The Last Of Us Season 2
