Speaking to Collider in a new interview, Joseph Morgan, the newest addition to the ‘Halo’ TV series, drew parallels between the show’s upcoming second season and ‘The Last of Us’ series.
Morgan, joining ‘Halo’ as James Ackerson in Season 2, shared his thoughts on the show’s approach to adapting the game. Agreeing it’s hard to meet fan expectations, Morgan touched upon the team’s effort to balance faithfulness to the original story, saying:
“I think what people need to understand is that we care as much, at least, as they do, and there’s a weight of responsibility there. And so, sure, there could be a show made where Master Chief never takes off his helmet, and it’s just a first-person shooter, but that’s a different show. We’re trying to invest in the drama and capture some of the emotional connection that we all had to ‘Halo,’ right? So I think maybe the care that’s put into it is underestimated a little bit. Maybe not, I don’t know.”
Drawing a comparison with ‘The Last of Us,’ Morgan talked about how the show adapted its source material:
“Oh yeah, I love ‘The Last of Us’ as well. Yeah, it’s so satisfying to see. And you know, that’s a good example because, you see, they’ve been really faithful to the canon and to the game, but then they’ve also found their moments to deviate, which were exciting because you’re going, ‘Oh, here’s something I didn’t know about it,’ you know? For me, it’s terrifically exciting.”
So, Morgan believes this approach can add depth and new dimensions to the adaptation, making it thrilling for both new viewers and long-time fans.
New Seasons For Both Shows Are On The Way
‘Halo’ is gearing up for its second season debut on February 8, 2024. Based on the video game franchise, the show stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief and Jen Taylor as Cortana. Despite receiving mixed reviews, with a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 61 on Metacritic, the show’s first season was praised for its action sequences, casting, and visual effects while facing criticism for its narrative choices and deviations from the original game.
On the other hand, ‘The Last of Us,’ created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO, set a high bar for game adaptations. Premiering on January 15, 2023, the series has been lauded for its storytelling, production design, and score. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the show has an impressive 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 84 on Metacritic. Besides, the series’ premiere attracted 4.7 million viewers on the first day.
As ‘Halo’ prepares for its new season, ‘The Last of Us’ is also gearing up for its second season, set to premiere in 2025.
