Who Is Isaac Dixon in ‘The Last of Us’? Jeffrey Wright’s Character Explained
HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ dives deeper into its post-apocalyptic world with season 2, and one character stealing the spotlight is Isaac Dixon, played by Jeffrey Wright. If you’re wondering who this guy is and why he matters, let’s break it down. Isaac isn’t just another survivor—he’s a commanding figure whose presence shakes up the story, especially for Abby Anderson, a key player in this season.
Isaac Dixon leads the Washington Liberation Front, or WLF, a militia group in Seattle. Known as the Wolves, they’re a heavily armed force fighting for control in a world ravaged by the Cordyceps infection. Isaac’s no hero, though. He’s a former Marine who turned against FEDRA, the government agency running quarantine zones, after growing fed up with their harsh rule. His leadership helped the WLF overthrow FEDRA in Seattle, but freedom came at a cost. Isaac’s methods are brutal—think public executions and banishing anyone who doesn’t swear loyalty to his cause.
What makes Isaac stand out is his complex role in the story. In ‘The Last of Us Part II,’ the game that season 2 draws from, he’s a secondary antagonist tied to Abby’s arc. Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, is a WLF soldier under Isaac’s command. He trusts her as a skilled fighter, even putting her in charge of a major assault against the Seraphites, a religious group the WLF calls ‘Scars.’ Their war is vicious, with both sides committing atrocities. Isaac’s obsession with wiping out the Seraphites drives much of the conflict, but it also puts him at odds with Abby when her loyalties shift.
Jeffrey Wright brings Isaac to life with a magnetic intensity. I first noticed Wright in ‘Westworld,’ where he played the brilliant Bernard Lowe, and his ability to blend quiet menace with depth fits Isaac perfectly. Wright voiced and did motion capture for Isaac in the 2020 game, making him a natural choice for the HBO series. He’s only the second actor, after Merle Dandridge as Marlene, to reprise a game role on the show. His casting feels like a win for fans of the game, and his performance adds layers to a character who could easily be a one-note villain.
The show doesn’t just copy the game’s version of Isaac. Season 2, episode 4, ‘Day One,’ gives us flashbacks to 2018, showing Isaac as a FEDRA sergeant before he defects. We see him turn on his own squad in a violent betrayal, setting the stage for his rise in the WLF. This backstory adds depth, showing how a man who once fought for order became a ruthless warlord. The series also hints at personal quirks, like his love for high-end cookware, which makes him feel more human, even when he’s torturing enemies.
Isaac’s story ties closely to Abby’s journey. After Joel Miller’s actions in the first season, Abby joins the WLF, and Isaac becomes a mentor figure. But their relationship frays when Abby protects a young Seraphite named Lev. In the game, this leads to a tense showdown where Isaac’s rigid worldview clashes with Abby’s growing compassion. I won’t spoil how it ends, but let’s just say Wright’s time on screen will keep you glued.
Wright’s career makes him a standout addition. Beyond ‘Westworld,’ he’s been in ‘The Batman’ as James Gordon and ‘No Time to Die’ as Felix Leiter. His voice work as The Watcher in Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ shows his range, and his Oscar-nominated role in ‘American Fiction’ proves he can handle complex characters. Isaac Dixon benefits from that skill, blending authority with a chilling edge.
As ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 unfolds, Isaac Dixon is a force to watch. He’s not just a villain—he’s a man shaped by a broken world, leading with an iron fist. Whether you’re new to the story or a longtime fan of the game, Wright’s performance makes Isaac unforgettable. Keep an eye on him as the war between the WLF and Seraphites heats up.