Why Sarah From The Last Of Us Looks So Familiar
Hollywood's latest attempt at a live-action video game adaptation is nearly here, and it may be the most excited gamers have been to see their favorite characters on-screen. HBO's "The Last of Us" brings the critically acclaimed zombie nightmare to home viewers, and fans of the games know exactly what's coming.
"The Last of Us" is set in a postapocalyptic world ravaged by a fungus that turns infected humans into zombie-like beings. These creatures aren't always the biggest problem, though, with the situation bringing out the worst in people who only look out for themselves. The basic premise of the show is that Joel (Pedro Pascal), a grizzled survivor, has to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a teenage girl, across the country because she could be the key to humanity's survival.
Joel and Ellie have cemented their spots as two of video games' most iconic characters, but "The Last of Us" brings a slew of other characters to the small screen, many of which have notable actors in their roles. Gabriel Luna ("Terminator: Dark Fate") plays Tommy, Anna Torv ("Fringe") plays Tess, Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") plays Bill, and Merle Dandridge reprises her role of Marlene from the video games. Nico Parker also appears as Joel's daughter, Sarah, and players of the games know exactly what that entails. Parker may have a familiar face to some viewers. Let's break down where audiences have seen her before.
Nico Parker made her debut in Dumbo
Nico Parker's career in the industry is just beginning to bloom, but the young actor got an incredible start in Disney's live-action "Dumbo." She played the starring role of Milly, a science-minded young girl who befriends the flying elephant. Her friendship with Dumbo convinces him to fly for the first time in public, putting the big-earred elephant in the spotlight. In the end, she continues the family business, hosting a science exhibit at the flourishing Medici Family Circus.
While "Dumbo" didn't receive the critical success that Disney hoped for, sitting at a rotten 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, Parker was a standout. The daughter of actor Thandiwe Newton ("Mission: Impossible II") and screenwriter Ol Parker ("The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel") got a massive start in the industry, acting alongside Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, and Danny DeVito. One would think that nerves would get the best of her, but she recalled to W Magazine that she quickly felt at home on set, although auditioning in front of a legendary director like Tim Burton still got to her. "I was just reading with my dad, so it was really comfortable," Parker recalled. "But then I went straight into auditioning for Tim, which was petrifying!"
She started working with HBO on The Third Day
"The Last of Us" won't be Nico Parker's first outing with HBO — the two previously partnered for the psychological thriller "The Third Day." The series follows two different characters as they each experience a mysterious island off the British coast at different times. Parker plays a character named Ellie. In Part 3 of the series, "Winter," Ellie arrives on the island with her mother, Helen (Naomie Harris), and her sister Talulah (Charlotte Gairdner-Mihell) to celebrate her birthday. After several mysterious events, the family finds themselves trapped on the island with its strange residents. Helen, Ellie, Lu, and their father, Sam (Jude Law), fight against the islanders as they try to escape with their lives.
The British-American folk horror drama received positive reviews from critics, with many praising stars Harris and Law, but audiences weren't so kind to the show (via Rotten Tomatoes). However, Parker's performance as Ellie further emphasizes her acting capabilities, showing that she can take on a more mature role that an HBO series would require.
Reminiscence allowed Parker to act alongside her mother
Nico Parker also appeared in the 2021 sci-fi thriller "Reminiscence" alongside her mother, Thandiwe Newton. Although Parker had a minor role in the film, the small opportunity saw her share the screen with Newton for the first time.
"Reminiscence" came from the mind of "Westworld" co-creator Lisa Joy, who wrote, directed, and produced the movie. The all-star cast of Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Newton, and Cliff Curtis added to the already impressive repertoire of A-list actors Parker has worked with in her young career. The movie follows Jackman's Nick, who runs a business with Watts (Newton) that lets people relive their memories. He falls in love with a client, Mae (Ferguson), who goes missing shortly after. Nick, determined to find her, goes on a journey that reveals Mae's role in a conspiracy surrounding a well-known wealthy family.
Parker appears at the end of the movie, playing Watts' granddaughter Zoe. An older Watts looks upon an equally old Nick, who's serving a life sentence for the crimes he committed in the movie. He spends his sentence living out his memories with Mae, and Watts teaches Zoe an important life lesson about remembering those you love.