Josh Peck’s appearance on The Last of Us took many fans by surprise, but for the 38-year-old actor, it marked a meaningful moment in his career. Known to many for his comedic roots on Nickelodeon and more recently for his role in Oppenheimer, Peck stepped into darker, more dramatic territory in the latest episode of the hit HBO series.
Introduced at the start of the May 4 episode, Peck plays Janowitz, a soldier for the Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA). According to Variety, Janowitz is portrayed as a hardened enforcer, known for a crass monologue about detaining “voters” — a chillingly ironic term FEDRA uses to refer to Quarantine Zone residents stripped of their civil liberties.
Josh Peck’s Role Came as a Surprise — and a Gift
In an interview with Variety, Peck opened up about how the role came to him unexpectedly. “It was just an audition that came in and, like most great writing, when I read the scene, I was like, ‘I think I know how to do this,’” he said. “I sent it out into the universe and hoped, but sort of didn’t expect to hear anything back because I don’t usually get things as good as this. So when I heard back, I was so excited.”
For Peck, the experience went beyond landing the part — it was also about working at a high level with people he deeply respects. “I feel very, very lucky to have been involved and to have been able to work with someone like Craig Mazin, who I’ve been a fan of for a long time,” he shared. Josh Peck expressed that his experiences on top-tier projects like Oppenheimer and The Last of Us have felt remarkably smooth and rewarding. He attributed this to the strong writing, fully developed scripts, and the high level of talent around him. For Peck, being part of such well-executed productions creates an environment where everything clicks, making the work both easier and more inspiring.
Finding Humanity in a Harsh World
Though Janowitz is part of an oppressive regime, Peck was determined to bring subtle depth to the character. He reflected on the emotional process of identifying a personal connection to his monologue.
“I tried to connect the story to a story in my real life that I’ve told before that’s totally benign and maybe would only make me laugh,” he explained. “He’s kind of talking about that he wanted to save the guys, in some respect, that were getting bullied… It was finding these subtle, humanizing points so that I don’t look at this kid like a total monster.”
Peck viewed Janowitz less as a villain and more as a cog in the machine — someone good at following orders, not necessarily seeking power. “He’s like a consiglieri. He seemed to me like a mouthpiece,” Peck said. “But did I ever think that he would attain the ranks of an Isaac? I’m not sure.”
For fans of The Last of Us, the performance added new layers to the show’s portrayal of moral complexity — and for Josh Peck, it proved yet another step in his evolution as an actor.
Also Read: Does Joel Die in the Last of Us? Tragic Season 2 Episode 2 Ending Explained
