Nick Offerman Condemns 'Homophobic Hate' Directed at His The Last Of Us Episode: 'It's a Love Story'

Nick Offerman has no time for homophobic reactions to his The Last of Us episode.

The actor, 53, won the Independent Spirit Award on Sunday for best supporting performance in a new scripted series for his role in the apocalyptic HBO drama. In his acceptance speech, he condemned the hate that followed his heart-wrenching episode, “Long, Long Time.”

“Thanks to HBO for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition that is truly independent,” Offerman said. “Stories with guts that when homophobic hate comes my way, and says, ‘Why did you have to make it a gay story?’ we say, ‘Because you ask questions like that.’“

“It’s not a gay story, it’s a love story, you a------,” he said, and was met with a raucous round of applause from the audience.

“So, more of that,” he added.

Also in his speech, the Parks and Recreation alum thanked the people who worked on the episode, which fleshed out the love story between Bill (Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett). The characters’ romantic history had only been hinted at in "The Last of Us" video game, which the series was adapted from.

“Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin wrote this thing. Peter Hoar directed it,” he continued. “Murray Bartlett planted the strawberries, and that is not a euphemism.”

He also thanked his wife of nearly 20 years, Megan Mullally, without whom he would not have taken the role.

Offerman and Bartlett broke hearts in the series’ unforgettable third episode, which followed closed-off survivalist Bill (Offerman) as he falls for extroverted nomad Frank (Bartlett) after he trespasses on his home.

After a beautifully executed friends to lovers arc and decades of life well-lived, the pair eventually chooses not to live without each other, bringing viewers to tears to the tune of the Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time,” which also gave the episode its name.

Earlier this year, Offerman won an Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for his performance in the hit show.

While speaking with the press after accepting the Emmy, Offerman suggested there could be a whole miniseries revolving around Bill and Frank's decades-long relationship, quipping, "It could be a musical."

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The first season of The Last of Us is available to stream on Max.