Warning Spoilers:
Josh Peck surprised fans with a gritty and darkly comedic cameo in episode 4 of The Last of Us Season 2. The former Nickelodeon star, now 38, appeared in a flashback as a FEDRA soldier during a cold open set in Seattle’s quarantine zone in 2018.
Inside an armored military vehicle, Peck’s character delivers a shocking NSFW story to fellow soldiers, including Isaac Dixon (Jeffrey Wright) and Burton (Ben Ahlers). In the tale, Peck recalls catching three people “disseminating pamphlets” and the violent response from another soldier, Greenberg. The dialogue quickly turns explicit and graphic as Peck’s character recounts the brutal crackdown, using crude humor to describe the event. 
Peck’s brief appearance is memorable, with one standout line delivered by Greenberg being, “You f—— perverts were out here splooging on my street?” followed by a violent incident that ends with a harsh insult: “No one asked you, jizz boy.”
The scene also reveals a chilling detail about FEDRA’s cruelty: when Burton asks why detainees are referred to as “voters,” Dixon explains, “We took away their right to vote and someone started calling them voters to mock them.” He then calls Peck’s character “thoughtless” for not knowing the term’s dark origin.
Shortly after, the vehicle is ambushed. When it stops near a blocked road, Dixon exits alone to confront a group led by Hanrahan (Alanna Ubach). Shockingly, he betrays his squad by throwing grenades into the truck, killing everyone inside — including Peck’s character — before turning to Burton and ominously saying, “Now make your choice.”
Though Peck appears for only about four minutes, his cameo plays a key role in introducing Isaac Dixon, a central character from the original video games. Dixon, portrayed again by Jeffrey Wright (who reprises his role from the game), is a powerful militia leader caught in an unending war. He becomes the second actor, after Merle Dandridge (Marlene), to appear in both the game and the HBO series.
The episode also introduces two new characters: Burton and Hanrahan. Ben Ahlers is known for his role in The Gilded Age, while Alanna Ubach is recognized for roles in Euphoria and The Flight Attendant.
Peck’s cameo follows a growing trend of surprise appearances in the HBO hit. Season 1 featured Jason Ritter as a clicker, and Season 2 included a blink-and-you-miss-it nod to Jennifer Aniston via a 2003 PEOPLE magazine cover.
The Last of Us continues to build its narrative with unexpected turns, powerful performances, and a few well-placed cameos that keep fans guessing.
