Josh Peck in The Last of Us Season 2: Complete Cameo Explained

Drake & Josh star Josh Peck trades laughs for a lethal twist in The Last of Us season two, episode four. The episode opens with a grim 2018 flashback to Seattle, where Peck plays Janowitz, a crude FEDRA soldier whose dark humor quickly gives way to explosive betrayal.

What starts as crude banter among soldiers spirals into a defining moment in the series, revealing the brutal origins of the Washington Liberation Front. Peck’s brief but impactful role joins a tradition of surprising guest appearances in the HBO hit, echoing past cameos by Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey, Troy Baker, and Ashley Johnson. Here’s a breakdown of his appearance — and why it matters.

Josh Peck Appears as Janowitz, a FEDRA Soldier in 2018

In a flashback set in 2018, Josh Peck’s Janowitz is seen riding in an armored truck with fellow FEDRA soldiers, including a young recruit named Burton (Ben Ahlers). Janowitz launches into a crude story involving three civilians:

“I got three voters against the wall. I caught them red-handed disseminating pamphlets… Turns out later it was some religious crap, but I didn’t know that,” he says. “So I call for backup and guess who shows?” “Greenberg,” the rest shouted.

Peck continues: “He pulls up… and he’s in a f------ mood… He goes, ‘What? You f------ perverts were out here splooging on my street?’” When one of the civilians tries to explain ‘disseminating,’ “Greenberg smacks his f------ head against the wall and there goes his teeth… Greenberg goes, ‘No one asked you, jizz boy.’”

The tone is darkly comedic, making Peck’s casting all the more jarring for fans who know him best from Nickelodeon.

“Voters” Explained: A Chilling Glimpse into FEDRA’s Mindset

As Janowitz and the others laugh, Burton questions the use of the word “voters” for civilians. Isaac Dixon (Jeffrey Wright), seated silently until now, responds, “We took away their right to vote and someone started calling them voters to mock them. So now you know.”

This small exchange reveals the institutional cruelty embedded in FEDRA, using language to dehumanize those under their control — and foreshadows Isaac’s looming turn.

Isaac’s Betrayal and Peck’s Brutal Exit

Their truck is soon blocked by a school bus. Isaac steps out and meets a rebel, Hanrahan (Alanna Ubach), waiting nearby. Then, without warning, he tosses grenades into the vehicle — killing everyone inside, including Janowitz.

The scene marks a key turning point: Isaac's betrayal of FEDRA and his shift toward leading the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). According to Variety, Isaac is “a quietly powerful leader of a large militia group who sought liberty but instead has become mired in an endless war against a surprisingly resourceful enemy,” and Jeffrey Wright reprises his video game role here — making him only the second actor, after Merle Dandridge’s Marlene, to do so.

Peck’s Cameo Joins a long line of Memorable Guest Stars

Peck’s appearance mirrors the show’s previous unexpected but effective cameos. Like Nick Offerman’s Bill or Melanie Lynskey’s Kathleen, his role is short-lived but significant. The choice to cast a recognizable comedic actor as a morally bankrupt soldier adds shock value and depth.

He also joins game veterans like Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Jeffrey Pierce in crossing over from game fame or adjacent fandoms into HBO’s brutal world.

Where can you Stream The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us season 2 is now streaming on HBO and Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays. The fifth episode, called “Feel Her Love,” will premiere on May 11, 2025. If you want to refresh your memory, we have recaps of Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4.

Also Read: The Last of Us Season 2: Does Dina Leave Ellie?