Since January 16, 2023, a new episode of “The Last of Us” awaits us weekly on Sky and WOW. However, the audience response and the ratings were already so outstanding after episode 2 that HBO extended the horror drama series early for season 2. Series creator Craig Mazin (“Chernobyl”) and Neil Druckmann – who, by the way, was also responsible for “The Last of Us” video game series – even have precise ideas about how long the series will accompany us.
The Last of Us Season 2: When will the sequel start?
Ellie actress Bella Ramsey thought the sequel was very likely (via BBC), and she should be right: Before the third of the nine episodes of the first season was even seen, HBO gave the green light for “The Last of Us” Season 2 (via Twitter):
Given the ratings of the first and second episodes, this early decision comes as no surprise: After “The Last of Us” had the second-strongest start in HBO history with 4.7 million U.S. viewers on the day of the series launch, the horror title even went one better: 5.7 million people tuned in for the second episode in the U.S., which corresponds to an audience increase of 22 percent. No other HBO series has managed that so far.
Nevertheless, fans will probably have to wait longer for the second season than most would like. Considering that the filming of season 1 took about a year and the post-production time should not be underestimated, viewers should not expect “The Last of Us” season 2 before the end of 2024/beginning of 2025. There is no official start date from HBO yet. However, you can bridge the waiting time with our interview in which an expert evaluates the scenario of “The Last of Us”:
The Last of Us: Sequel could go beyond season 2
Even before HBO gave the green light for new episodes, Craig Mazin revealed in an interview with Gizmodo what plans he had for “The Last of Us” Season 2:
“The first season covers the events of the first game. And if you’ve played the game, you’ll see from the marketing material that we’re also picking up the events of ‘Left Behind’ (prologue to the game, ed.). I think the amount of stories we haven’t covered would fill more than one season. Assuming we were allowed to continue, the idea would be to produce more than one season. But it’s not going to be one of those series that lasts seven seasons.”
When referring to the aforementioned remaining stories, Mazin refers to the second game in the series, “The Last of Us Part II,” released in 2020. After that, however, Mazin added that it would be over for good:
“I’m not interested in going beyond the existing material. As a viewer, I have no problem watching series that go on and on. No problem. But as a writer, I don’t want to be in the position of spinning out new content season after season. For me, it’s important that things are purposeful, and when they’re purposeful, they have an ending. That means everything has to be carefully chosen and not just there to keep going.”
The Last of Us Season 2: What will happen next?
Like Mazin before him, Druckmann made it clear that “The Last of Us” Season 2 (and possibly Season 3) would adapt the plot from the video game “The Last of Us Part II,” but not go beyond it (via The Hollywood Reporter):
“We don’t plan to expand the plot beyond that of the video games. We’re not going to make the same mistake as ‘Game of Thrones’ because ‘Part II’ doesn’t end with a cliffhanger.”
That would also lend itself to the fact that the second video game in the series tells two stories. We don’t want to anticipate anything and will only reveal this much. After a failed attempt to lead a peaceful life, Ellie embarks on a cruel vendetta that blurs any boundaries between good and evil.
If you are already curious, you can get “The Last of Us Part II” as a game for the PlayStation 4 or 5. However, it would be best to remember that the series adaptation – as with season 1 – will probably change the gameplay.
The Last of Us Season 2: Who’s in it?
Since Ellie and Joel have found a place in “The Last of Us Part II,” Bella Ramsey and Pascal Pedro should not be missing in Season 2. In addition, the first season has already “hidden” another character in episode 6, which will be important in the sequel. We’re talking about Dina, who watches Ellie from afar during her visit to Jackson. Although she is only listed as a “staring girl” in the credits, those who know Part II of the video game series will probably have recognized the hint. Accordingly, we assume that actress Paolina van Kleef will be part of “The Last of Us” Season 2 and could take on a significantly larger role.
