The Last of Us season 2: release date, plot, cast, and what we know so far

The Last of Us was one of those rare TV shows that scored a rare nine and 90 percent on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. Hence, it comes as no surprise that fans are eagerly awaiting season 2 of the 2023 apocalyptic series, which drew 4.7 million viewers across HBO. It marked the largest debut since House of the Dragon and the biggest since Boardwalk Empire premiered in 2010.

The hit show is based on the 2013 PlayStation game titled the same and depicts a fungal-induced pandemic in the United States, overrun by infected, cannibalistic beings. It was the first HBO series adapted from a video game and is a joint effort between Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, the Mighty Mint, and Word Games.

Season 2. pic.twitter.com/YooeHDxaJk

— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) August 5, 2024

Neil Druckmann wrote and co-directed the games and even helped with scriptwriting for the first season’s nine episodes. Gustavo Santaolalla, who also scored the games, and David Fleming composed the music for the series.

The game itself has sold over 17 million units as of June 2018. The 2020 sequel, The Last of Us Part II sold about ten million units as of mid-2022. Consequently, gamers and viewers alike have been wondering whether the show would also have a follow-up.

Will The Last of Us have a season 2?

Fortunately for fans, The Last of Us was renewed for a second installment after its creators “defined a genre with their masterful debut season,” said Francesca Orsi, head of HBO Drama Series and Films, in a statement at the beginning of 2024.

She continued: “After pulling off this unforgettable first season, I can’t wait to watch this team outshine themselves again with Season 2.”

What will it be about?

Although “The Last of Us” was renewed for a second season in early 2023, there has been little information about the specific details. However, showrunners Druckmann and Craig Mazin told Hollywood Reporter that it will probably follow the storyline of the second game in the video game series.

Bella Ramsey will be returning as Ellie. Credit: HBO

If that is the case, both Joel and Ellie, played by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey respectively, will return to our screens, as the second game is set in the aftermath of the first. The season is expected to span seven episodes.

Plans are in place to continue the story into a third season, given that the source material is more expansive than what was covered in the first season.

“The story material that we got from Part II of the game is way more than the story material that was in the first game, so part of what we had to do from the start was figure out how to tell that story across seasons,” Mazin said.

“When you do that, you look for natural breakpoints, and as we laid it out, this season, the natural breakpoint felt like it came after seven episodes.”

Who is in the cast of The Last of Us season 2?

As mentioned, Pascal and Ramsey are back for the new season. A new character called Abby has also been added to the roster and is being played by Dopesick actress Kaitlyn Dever. Abby is said to be a soldier seeking vengeance for a loved one and subsequently has her worldview challenged. Meanwhile, Isabela Merced has been cast as Dina, who is Ellie’s romantic interest.

Ramsey, who identifies as gender fluid, hinted at the plot line during her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. She said: “I’m really excited, to be honest, for the Ellie/Dina story.”

It was announced that Beef star Young Mazino is joining the cast. He plays Jesse, described as “a pillar of his community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost.”

Schitt’s Creek actress Catherine O’Hara will appear in an undisclosed guest role for this season. Max also announced in March 2024 that Danny Ramirez, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord are joining the cast.

Catherine O’Hara is making an appearance this season. Credit: HBO

Ramirez plays Manny, a soldier with a cheerful demeanor and hidden traumas, while Barer is Mel, a young doctor whose ideals clash with the harsh realities of war.

Gabrielle portrays Nora, a military medic grappling with her past actions, and Lord plays Owen, a kind-hearted warrior. Hunger Games actor Jeffrey Wright joins as Isaac, the leader of a militia group embroiled in a prolonged conflict. Wright also voiced the character in The Last of Us Part II game.

Unfortunately, Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett, who played Bill and Frank, will not be back. The pair were praised for their moving performance in the third episode of season 1.

When will the Last of Us 2 be released?

The second installment of the Max drama is expected to launch in 2025. HBO boss Casey Bloys first mentioned this timeline at the end of 2023.

In November, a sizzle reel was released by HBO’s streaming platform Max, which confirmed that release window.

Production kicked off on February 12, 2024, in Canada. In March, Deadline reported that Season 2 will be filmed in Vancouver, similar to that of the video game’s story, which was set in the Pacific Northwest. It was reported this week that production has finally wrapped up, after several months of shooting.

Where can I watch the show?

Season 2 of The Last of Us is expected to premiere on HBO and HBO Max again, and it will be shown on Sky in the U.K.

Featured image: HBO

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