Characters of The Last of Us (TV series)
Marlene
#### Marlene

[thumb\|right\|upright\=0\.7\|[Merle Dandridge](/wiki/Merle_Dandridge "Merle Dandridge") reprises her role of Marlene from the video games.](/wiki/File:Merle_Dandridge_2019.png "Merle Dandridge 2019.png")

**Marlene** ([Merle Dandridge](/wiki/Merle_Dandridge "Merle Dandridge")) is the head of the Fireflies, a resistance movement hoping to gain freedom from the military. Marlene knew Ellie's mother, Anna, her whole life. After Anna gave birth to Ellie, she asked Marlene to kill her to prevent infection and take Ellie back to Boston; she hesitantly does so. Fourteen years later, after Ellie is bitten, Marlene orders the Fireflies to keep her caged. She reveals she placed Ellie into FEDRA military school as a child for her protection but now plans to transport her west. After a botched deal leaves most Fireflies dead, Marlene begs Joel and Tess to take Ellie to the Massachusetts State House in exchange for supplies; they accept. After Joel and Ellie arrive in Salt Lake City, Marlene explains to Joel doctors are preparing surgery on Ellie that will kill her. She orders two soldiers to escort Joel out of the hospital; Joel escapes and kills most of the Firefly soldiers to take Ellie. Marlene intercepts them in the parking garage, stating there is still time for Joel to do the right thing, but he shoots and kills her.

Dandridge's casting was announced on May 27, 2021\. Dandridge reprises her role from the video games, the first actor to do so; Mazin and Druckmann felt, unlike most other actors from the game, she physically resembled her character, only requiring a wig. Dandridge revisited the game in preparation. She was consistently surprised by the physical elements on set, having only portrayed Marlene within a [motion capture](/wiki/Motion_capture "Motion capture") stage and suit during the games. She found the character had "a heavier stillness" in the show, which she attributed to the weight of living in the post\-apocalyptic world. Dandridge found the ninth episode's [cold open](/wiki/Cold_open "Cold open") provided important context for the relationship between Marlene and Anna, and was happy to work alongside Johnson again. She tried to forget her performance in the game and focus on the contextual differences in Marlene's scenes with Joel, particularly noting the differences in the script and location. Dandridge cried while recording [automated dialogue replacement](/wiki/Automated_dialogue_replacement "Automated dialogue replacement") for the episode—a first for her—as she found Anna's death so emotional. She "had a really hard time" while filming Marlene's final scenes, partly due to the overwhelming emotions of the character's decision and consequences.


What would have happened if Joel had taken Ellie to the Massachusetts State House?