The screen adaptation of the post-apocalyptic game The Last of Us was one of the biggest TV hits of 2023. Although we’ll have to wait quite a long time for the new adventures of Ellie and Joel, more information about season 2 of the HBO series is emerging.
If you’re one of the fans who want to know more about what’s in store, then we have everything you need to know about the expanding cast, plot, and potential release date.
Will there be a season 2 of The Last of Us?
Yes – HBO ordered a second season of The Last of Us back in January 2023 after the series had a huge debut. This season will cover the events of the sequel game, The Last of Us Part II.
Fans are in luck, as this game’s story will allegedly be split across multiple seasons, as confirmed by the showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to GQ. However, we don’t know how many more there will be.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
When could The Last of Us season 2 be released?
Filming for the second season began in February 2024, and will run until August. Based on that, we can estimate when the show may be released.
It took around 18 months for the first season to air from the first day of filming. Therefore, assuming that the next season begins production in the next few months, we won’t see season two until at least the first half of 2025.
This is purely an estimation – if we hear anything more, we will update this article.
Who is starring in The Last of Us season 2?
Some spoilers for The Last of Us Part II below
Fans of both Bella Ramsay and Pedro Pascal can rest easy, as the former confirmed on Twitter that the dynamic duo will be returning for season 2.
In The Last of Us Part II, we also have appearances from Joel’s brother Tommy, so we expect Gabriel Luna to return. The same goes for his partner, Maria Miller, played by Rutina Wesley.
We briefly got a glimpse of a character played by Paolina van Kleef, who many suspect could be Dina – Ellie’s future love interest in the games. However, the extra’s role was never confirmed. Here is the scene for reference:
One of the most important characters in the second game is Abby, and fans have long speculated on who could play her. Many suspected that it would be The Wilds star Shannon Berry, as she strongly resembles the character.
HBO has now confirmed that Abby will be played by Kaitlyn Dever, who has starred in such series as Last Man Standing and Dopesick and also appeared in the films Rosaline and Next Goal Wins. Interestingly, Dever was once typecast for the role of Ellie by game fans.
Here is the official description of Abby, which was shared in The Hollywood Reporter:
Abby is a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved.
Young Mazino, whom you may know from the Netflix series The Beef, has also joined the cast of The Last of Us season 2. The actor will play the role of Jesse, a boy with an essential role in the community where Ellie resides.
Catherine O’Hara, known for Beetlejuice or Home Alone, has joined the cast. According to rumours, the actress will play a mysterious prophet of the Seraphite cult, which has spread its influence in the Seattle area.
Season 2 will also feature:
- Danny Ramirez – Manny, a loyal soldier
- Ariela Barer – Mel, a young doctor
- Tati Gabrielle – Nora, a military medic
- Spencer Lord – Owen, a warrior
Behind the scenes, we expect that the co-creator and director of the games, Neil Druckmann, will be back along with Craig Mazin, the creator of Chernobyl.
What will the plot of The Last of Us season 2 be?
Whilst season 2 of The Last of Us will be covering the events of the second game, it may also fill in some gaps that weren’t explored in-depth in the original source material (just like the heart-wrenching third episode of season 1 – we’ve still not recovered).
Craig Mazin confirmed the following to EW: “Sometimes it will be different radically, and sometimes it will be [barely] different at all. But it’s going to be different and it will be its own thing. It won’t be exactly like the game.”
We won’t go too into game spoilers here, but there is a five-year time jump in which Ellie ages from 14 to 19. The latter is closer to Bella Ramsay’s actual age, which makes for perfect timing with filming.
During that time there are flashbacks that show what happened between Joel and Ellie – so it is likely that the TV series may expand on these more.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
We could see whether Ellie finds out if Joel lied when he swore to her that he was telling the truth about her immunity. We may also see a potential budding romance with Dina, who may have had a cameo in season 1 already.
Flashbacks aside, The Last of Us Part II returns to Jackson Wyoming, and follows Ellie as she reaps the consequences of Joel’s murderous rampage in the hospital to save her from being operated on for a cure to cordyceps.
Like the events of the first story, fans can expect visceral violence, more heartbreak, and a whole host of twists and turns.
How to watch The Last of Us TV series
In the US, the first season of The Last of Us is available on HBO TV channels, as well as on the flexible streaming service Max. This costs $9.99 per month for ad-supported viewing, and either $15.99 per month or $19.99 per month for ad-free streaming depending on what package you opt for.
The UK doesn’t yet have HBO, but the show was syndicated on Sky Atlantic and Now, as other HBO productions have. Now’s Entertainment membership costs £9.99 per month.
