Toronto-based actor Noah Lamanna is making waves across screens big and small in 2025. Known for their dynamic range and captivating presence, Noah appears in the highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, premiered April 13, portraying Kat—a pivotal figure from Ellie’s past. Fans can also catch them in season three of Netflix’s hit series Ginny & Georgia, debuting June 5, where they play Tris, a whip-smart skateboarder and trusted friend in the world of Wellsbury.
With a recent Best Principal Performance nomination for their role as Eli in Let the Right One In at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and screen credits including Dream Scenario, The Umbrella Academy and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Noah continues to carve out a distinct path in the industry. Beyond acting, they are an emerging voice behind the camera, currently prepping their first original short film. Blending backgrounds in musical theater, puppetry and drag, Noah brings a singular creative perspective to every role—and they’re just getting started.
INTREVIEW
So, my first question is: How did you prepare for your role in The Last of Us? Both physically and mentally. I mean, within such a complex and beloved video game universe.
The character Kat wasn’t actually built out in the game. She was just referred to. So I had the space to bring myself into it rather than being tied to a portrayal that already existed. So it gave me some freedom. Most of my preparation happened on a horse. I rode when I was a kid, but it has been quite a while since I was on a horse, so I had to brush up my skills. So that is a lot of what I was doing before I went out there.
That’s a little bit scary if you don’t know how to ride a horse.
Well, they are TV horses. So they are pretty well tamed.
Your role brought visibility to a trans universe, a narrative, in a post-apocalyptic world. What drew you to the project and what made you connect with the role?
It’s one of the biggest shows on TV. Everyone is watching and everyone is sort of eager to be part of it. I would have jumped on board to do literally anything. I just got lucky. Obviously, the characters themselves are queer, but I do think it’s cool and sort of an extra level of representation that Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and I are both non-binary. I think for the queer fans, that adds another little t-for-t expansion.
Was there a particular scene or moment that stayed with you long after the movie wrapped?
I did have a kind of profound and out of body moment when I was shooting a scene. Bella and Pedro were both there. They were in costume, talking to each other in character in rehearsal, and I had an out of body moment watching them, thinking, “Oh, wait, I watched the show. How did I get here?” Sort of looking around and thinking, “This doesn’t make sense. Why am I in the show that I watched? How did I get teleported here?” It was something that I’ve not experienced before. I have been in shows before that I watched. But that was very specifically impactful.
What kind of feedback have you been getting from viewers? Especially queer fans who kind of saw themselves reflected on the screen.
I’ll be honest with you. I really try to stay out of the comments. It could be a fraught place. I know some of the actors on the show have really been dealing with a lot from the comments section. From those people that I maybe know more intimately, the feedback has been a very lovely reception. The first time that I think I’ve had fan edits made. I did see a few of the fan edits. Which was fun. So there is an enthusiastic queer audience out there that is shipping the Kat and Ellie storyline.
Do you think the entertainment industry is starting to evolve in how it writes, cast and supports queer and trans characters and actors?
I do think so. Yes. A few years ago, there was sort of this big wave or big push of trans visibility in casting. Not everybody was getting it right. But, you know, good on them. You’ve got to start somewhere. I think the more that we’re seeing, at least I hope to see it even more, but more queer and trans people are in writers’ rooms and are producing. That’s why we have the authenticity that really makes a difference when you’re watching a show. You can tell when there is a queer person behind the story. I look forward to seeing more and more of that.
What kind of roles or projects are you most excited to explore next?
The adventure of being out like in the mountains. Riding horses on location. Really, truly, I would love to do more of that. Especially after this project. I have really had my eyes on trying western genre stuff. Horror. Anything where you really get sort of pushed outside the reality of everyday experience.
Are there any artists or writers or producers or directors that inspire you that you could name? Or that you feel like naming?
I was actually on your Instagram page and I saw Sasha Velour on a carpet. She is a big artistic inspiration.
I really respect her. She’s so multifaceted and is such a profound artistic voice that carries through everything that she does. Such clear storytelling.
I heard that you did something with Star Trek. Is that true?
Yes.
Is there something you wish more people understood about you as an actor or creator or just even as a person?
That is an interesting question. I guess the sort of interesting push and pull with being in this job is having it be such a public facing role. The desire to actually be believed and not perceived. I think a lot of people are very confused by that–your whole job is to be visible. But there is a big difference between being perceived on camera in character and being perceived as yourself in the world. So I think there is an interesting relationship to “fame and visibility”. I think that’s a little not-so-secret secret about me. That I mostly move through the world surprised when I get perceived because I try to move through the world incognito.
That’s kind of mysterious, but fun. I like to make everything fun or I won’t do it. Is there anything that I didn’t cover that you would like to speak about?
Well, there is a film that I’m in that I think the queers will love. It’s called Turn It Up! It is a horror comedy. It is actually screening partially at the “Frontieres Platform” at Cannes.
Tell me a little bit about it.
It’s about this band that accidentally discovers this song that, when you hear it, it transports you to another dimension. And also, in doing so, makes your head explode. It’s very, very campy. But it’s so fun. When I read the script, I thought, “This is so specific and it’s so funny.” I can’t wait for the audience members to see it. Because I think it’s really fun and really unique.
So, you’re going to be in the next season of Ginny & Georgia, which is great. How did you prepare for that role?
In part, I prepared by taking skateboarding lessons. Which is not something I ever saw for myself. In this job, you are always learning new things. It was a fun and funny aspect of the preparation.
What character do you play?
I play a student. Their name is Tris. They are a skateboarder and a tutor. They really walk the line very well of being studious and laid-back. They bring a very cool and balanced energy.
What was your biggest challenge, aside from skateboarding?
I was lucky. I had a stunt double. So I didn’t have to train too hard.
So, from that episode, what did you take away with you? What do you remember most?
It was really lovely working with that cast. They were also welcoming. We had a lot of fun together. I was really grateful to just be embraced and brought in like that in the third season. It seemed like a seamless transition. It was nice having a thorough arc throughout the show. To really get comfortable and know everybody and have a place to play. That was really nice.
Is it weird when you come in on the third season? Is it strange or weird or uncomfortable?
It can be. Everybody already knows each other. They have established relationships and quiet politics that exist on set. Who gets along and what director does people like working with? So when you come in on a third season, you kind of have to suss that out as you go. But as I said, I was really lucky on this one. They made me feel really welcome. Really went out of their way to make me feel at home.
