HBO is gearing up to return with the most popular video game series. That’s right! The Last Of Us Season 2 is all set to hit our screen, and the first trailer also suggests how things will move in the second season. But things are going to be more dramatic and chaotic than the first season. While the first season explores the depth of survival, love, and faith, the second season will be more tense as Joel and Ellie struggle to survive in the new territory. Are they safe? Let’s find out!
Based on the video game franchise, The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic world. It follows twenty years after the mass fungal infection pandemic, which transforms the host into zombie-like creatures. Joel is tasked to smuggle and escort the immune teenager Ellie across the United States. However, as the two travel all the way to the US, they learn more about each other and work together to protect each other from the zombie-like creatures.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Is Back
HBO’s mega-hit series The Last Of Us debuted back on January 15, 2023, and was a massive hit series. Just two episodes were premiered, and the network renewed the show for another season. That’s right! After two episodes aired, HBO renewed The Last Of Us Season 2, with the third episode set to air on Sunday, January 29, 2023. Shortly after this renewal announcement, the executive producer Neil Druckmann said he was humbled and honored by this reaction.
Neil added that he was overwhelmed by the fact that so many people tuned into their series and reconnected with the story of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The creative director and writer of the game also shared his gratitude to Craig Mazin, HBO, and their incredible cast and crew members.
Neil Druckmann also expressed his pleasure in returning to explore Joel and Ellie’s journey to the next season. He said, “On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog & PlayStation, thank you!” The move to renew the series for the second season just after its debut was a bit surprising. However, the series performed incredibly well on the platform.
It was a hit with both audiences and critics. The Last Of Us received a strong review of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. The second episode reached 5.7 million viewers across HBO Max and HBO in the US, a 22% jump from the first. The first episode reached 4.7 million during the debut hours, which was later increased to 22 million viewers. Since it’s the highest viewership ever on the platform, there’s no denying why the network renewed the series for The Last Of Us Season 2 earlier than ever.
The Creator Expressed His Gratitude
After this renewal, The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin expressed gratitude to Neil Druckmann and HBO for their partnership and to the people who tuned into the series for making it a massive hit. Mazin said that the audience gave them a chance to return with The Last of Us Season 2. He added that he was a big fan of the characters and world Neil and Naughty Dog created. So, he was more than happy to return to this world and dig deeper into this.
Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming and head of HBO Drama Series and Films, also appreciated the creative team for bringing such an amazing series to the platform. Orsi thanked Neil, Craig, and EP Carolyn Strauss for bringing the story to life. He also thanked the phenomenal cast for defining the masterful genre and pulling off the unforgettable first season. Oris added that he couldn’t wait to see The Last Of Us Season 2 on their screen.
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The Last Of Us Season 2: Production Status
Despite receiving an early renewal, The Last of Us Season 2 didn’t begin production in 2023. The series was among all the shows affected by the Hollywood strikes. It was started in early May 2023 and lasted till September 2023. Because of this, the show didn’t undergo production last year. However, the writers’ room for the second season was started in February 2023 in Los Angeles.
However, the strikes affected it. According to reports, Mazin had only submitted the first episode of the second season, which was 90 minutes long. Mazin and Druckmann worked together on the scripting process. However, after the Hollywood strikes began, the duo stopped working on the series. However, Deadline reported that the show finally began production in Canada on February 12, 2024.
Season 2 later entered filming in Vancouver in March. That’s because a significant part of The Last of Us Part II video game was set in the Pacific Northwest. The series was shot in several different locations and concluded filming on August 23. As of now, The Last of Us Season 2 is in the post-production phase and will take a couple more months to complete.
Trailer Of Season 2 Is Out
The second season dropped the first trailer as a part of Max’s 2024 and 2025 slate preview. There, we can see Catherine O’Hara’s character asking Joel what he did with Ellie. Catherine asks Joel, “Did you hurt her?” However, he replies, “No.” But when she comes close and asks what he did with her, a teardrop falls, as Joel says, “I saved her.” Meanwhile, the trailer also hints at Ellie’s whereabouts. It shows a scared Ellie screaming and the first look of Isaac Dixon, Dina, Abby, and the Seraphites.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Cast Details
The first season’s cast will undoubtedly return. These include Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie. The second season will also see Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria. Besides them, The Last Of Us Season 2 will feature some more video game characters. Previously, it was reported that Kaitlyn Dever would join the show as Abby, a skilled soldier who seeks vengeance for those she loves.
The next one is Emmy nominee Young Mazino as Jesse, a pillar of his community. Isabela Merced will join as Dina, Ellie’s new romantic interest. She’s Jesse’s ex and free-wheeling spirit. In addition, Catherine O’Hara will join in as a guest. However, nothing is known about her character. In March 2024, Max also revealed that four more characters will join The Last Of Us Season 2.
These are Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, and Spencer Lord. Ramirez will join as Manny, a loyal soldier who fears he will not meet his friend’s expectations. Barer portrays Mel, a young doctor. However, the harsh realities of war and tribalism will challenge Mel’s determination.
Gabrielle will join as Nora struggles to come to terms with her past sins. Lord will play Owen, a warrior with a gentle soul. In addition, Jeffrey Wright will join as Isaac, the leader of the Washington Liberation Front militia group.
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Will Frank And Bill Return In The Last Of Us Season 2?
There’s no denying that Frank (played by Murray Bartlett) and Bill (played by Nick Offerman) are the famous couple of the first season. Their love story became super popular earlier in the pilot season. However, executive producer Craig Mazin said the characters won’t return in The Last Of Us Season 2. Mazin told Deadline that he was proud of the episode he did with Frank and Bill.
Sadly, there won’t be any more episodes featuring the couple. Nick Offerman, who won an Emmy for his role as Bill, shared that there are endless possibilities for the couple’s return. He added that ample source material exists on the couple’s love story. He also said they had pitched a mini-series revolving around Bill and Frank and how they met each other.
Offerman shared that they could return with a musical and already have plenty of ideas about it. However, all they need is Craig and Neil’s permission. However, the showrunner revealed that Offerman was kidding. Despite that, the actors are ready to return in the future.
What Will Happen In The Last Of Us Season 2?
The series’ second season will be based on Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II, released in 2020. The series is based on Joel and Ellie’s survival journey. Twenty years after modern civilization was destroyed, Joel was tasked to smuggle a 14-year-old girl named Ellie. Since they needed to traverse the US, they must depend on each other. That later brings them closer. While the first season focused on the unconditional love theme, the second season entered the revenge territory.
Druckmann shared that The Last of Us Season 2 will focus on the dark side of the coin. The first season was all about love and support. However, the second season will become darker as it will focus on pursuing justice at any cost, said Druckmann. They will go beyond any extent for their loved ones. In addition, Mazin said in a global press conference that the second season will focus on a time jump. Part II of the video game happened after five years.
So, this shift in narration will play a significant role in The Last Of Us Season 2. Mazin also added that the second season will take place several years after the original story. That’s because they look forward to directly adapting Part II of the video game. However, the creator has confirmed that they won’t conclude the entire storyline in one season. Part II of the video game will return with more seasons.
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There Will Be More Seasons Of The Last Of Us
Craig Mazin teased that the show could run longer than the second season. In an interview, Mazin said the creative team didn’t think they could tell the story in two seasons. That was because the team wanted to explore other parts as well, and they wanted to dig into interesting pathways, which they did in the first season. However, things aren’t in their hands.
That’s why Mazin said he’s ready to return with as many seasons as possible if the audiences are ready to delve into Joel and Ellie’s journey. Further, he revealed that season 3 would be larger, and the story may continue in season 4.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Be Shorter
Co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin told Deadline that The Last of Us Season 2 will be shorter than the pilot season. The second season will consist of seven episodes only. That’s because they plan to continue the story in the third season since the source material is more extensive than the pilot season. They also said the story material they received from Part II of the video game was more than the original game.
So, they needed to figure out how to tell the story in just one season. Mazin said that in such a case, “You look for natural breakpoints,” and they “felt like it came after seven episodes.” That’s why The Last Of Us Season 2 will have only seven episodes. However, you don’t have to fret. That’s because the creator shared that some of the episodes will have a notably large length, which will compensate for the shorter length of the second season.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Release Date
The series is currently in the post-production phase. However, HBO boss Casey Bloys hinted that they have plans for The Last Of Us Season 2 to return in the first part of 2025. During Max’s ‘The One to Watch’ trailer, the second season confirmed that the show will return soon. While the network has yet to reveal an official release date for The Last of Us, the series will likely return in February 2025. This is all for now. We will update you shortly. This is all for now. Stay with TechRadar247 for more such updates.
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