If you endured the emotional rollercoaster that was season 1 of The Last of Us, then you certainly know what we mean when we say it’s time to start preparing for season 2. With the first official teaser having recently dropped, fans of the show are anxiously anticipating the series’ 2025 return. The debut season brought angst, heartbreak, and a new appreciation for Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time” that we never could have predicted. As viewers anticipate the arrival of season 2, here’s everything we know about the HBO hit’s return, premiering on April 13 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and streaming on Max.
What was ‘The Last of Us’ season 1 about?
HBO took on this post-apocalyptic drama series based on the video game of the same name. The hit show begins right as a dangerous fungal infection starts rapidly spreading, and jumps ahead twenty years after the scene is set. Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, is hardened by the early days of the outbreak, as his daughter was killed while they were attempting to flee from the chaos. Now living in a quarantine zone and working as a smuggler, he is enlisted to bring a young girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to a hospital in which they can use her to find a cure, as she is immune—but their journey is far from easy. The story is thrilling and kept us on the edge of our seats while being simultaneously heartbreaking. Both Pascal and Ramsey’s performances in the series have been widely celebrated, with each of them receiving Emmy Award nominations for their roles. Now, with season 2 on the way, we can only imagine what’s in store.
What will ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 be about?
It’s been confirmed that season 2 of the series will stick to the storyline laid out in the video game, and with that in mind, fans can expect to experience a range of emotions. Perhaps you’ve played the game and know the story for yourself, but if you’re lucky enough to be in the dark, anticipate an emotional rollercoaster. The second season will jump five years ahead of the events that took place in season 1. “Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind,” said a statement from HBO.
Who will be in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 cast?
In addition to familiar faces like Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, viewers can expect to see a few new yet familiar faces joining the cast this season. Kaitlyn Dever will be taking on the role of Abby, Young Manzino will be playing Jesse and Isabela Merced will take on Dina. Additionally, none other than Catherine O’Hara will also be joining. Viewers can also expect to see Ariela Barer playing the part of Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord bringing to life Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny and Jeffrey Wright playing Isaac.
“I have an odd relationship with Pedro’s character,” Catherine O’Hara told Entertainment Weekly of her character. “You don’t quite know why she’s got…well, she’s got this edge to her, but it makes for some weird, good dark comedy, I think. So it’s there. I never want to deny the gift of humor.”
When is ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 coming out?
It was recently confirmed that the season would be premiering on April 13 at 9 p.m. EST. You can catch the premiere on HBO or streaming on Max at the same time. It will consist of seven episodes in total.
‘The Last of Us’ season 2 trailers and teasers
In a haunting teaser for the second season set against the soundtrack of Pearl Jam’s “Future Days,” we hear as O’Hara’s character states, “You can’t heal something unless you’re brave enough to say it out loud. Say the thing you’re afraid to say. Say it out loud no matter what it is, no matter how bad. What did you do?” The teaser also gave us a glimpse at Kaitlyn Dever’s appearance in the series, as well as the ever-present threat of the undead.
In another teaser that announced the arrival of the show in April, we get an even deeper look at the threats in store for the second season. “It doesn’t matter if you have a code like me. There are just some things everyone agrees are just wrong,” we hear Kaitlyn Dever’s character of Abby say.
What have the showrunners said about ‘The Last of Us’ season 2?
Looking ahead, die-hard fans of the video game in which the series was based off of are curious as to how closely the show will stick to the plot of the game. However, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann assure fans that when it comes to the tiny details, none of their concerns go ignored.
“I think there is still this anxiety, like, this constant drumbeat of anxiety. All I can say to people is: I have so much anxiety myself, about doing a good job on this,” Mazin told Variety in March 2023.
“Just know, I am also very anxious. If you’re anxious about something, I’m probably anxious about it, which means we’re talking about it and thinking about it. We will present things, but it will be different, just as this season was different,” Mazin continued. “Sometimes it will be different radically, and sometimes it will be barely different at all, but it’s going to be different. It will be its own thing. It won’t be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil and I want to make.”
Something else the duo touched on regarding season 2 was the presence of the infected creatures, which they assured fans will be more prominent as opposed to the first season, which focused heavily on creating and building the relationships on the screen.
Mazin also touched on what’s ahead in season 2 to Esquire, saying, “This should be fairly obvious to anyone by now, but I don’t fear killing characters.” He continued, “But the important thing to note is that neither Neil nor I feel constrained by the source material,” referring to the plot of the game.
What has the cast said about ‘The Last of Us’ season 2?
As for the faces bringing this series to life, the actors and actresses set for season 2 have shared their excitement, including newcomer Isabela Merced, who will play the role of Dina.
“I’m so excited for people to see my chemistry with Bella,” she told Collider. “Bella and I have so much chemistry. From the first day, it was there. There’s no work to be done. I really respect Bella. I just saw Catherine Called Birdy and Bella has such range and just an honesty about their work. I’m learning so much. I’m very honored to be here.”
Before filming for season 2 kicked off, Pascal also touched on what he’s excited for in terms of what was to come.
“I’m really excited that there’s a likelihood that the dynamic between the two of them has really changed and that the texture of that is something that goes even further in the playing,” he told Deadline in June 2023.
Kaitlyn Dever also spoke with Variety about the pressures of stepping into such a highly-regarded series, saying, “Being a part of such a big and very, very loved franchise, it is something that I haven’t ever done before, and I’m learning every day just how to move forward in this new world that is the Last of Us fandom. I think it is always hard stepping into that, especially because it’s already had its [first] season and I’m the newbie to the world. But I think that I’m almost treating it and approaching it like I do with everything, which is just wanting to come at it with authenticity and honesty and trying to be as organic as I can when approaching the role and bringing my own sort of energy to it, if that makes sense. I want to do the character justice, and I hope that people enjoy what I do with that.”
See the all-new ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 promo posters!
