The critically acclaimed HBO drama adaptation of the video game just got renewed for a second season.
The series, co-created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, received rave reviews and trended at #1 on Twitter worldwide when it was released 15 January. To date, season 1 teasers and trailers have racked up over 100 million views globally.
“Craig and Neil, alongside EP Carolyn Strauss, and the rest of our phenomenal cast and crew, have defined a genre with their masterful debut season of The Last of Us,” said Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films. “After pulling off this unforgettable first season, I can’t wait to watch this team outshine themselves again with season 2.”
For his part, executive producer Neil Druckmann said, “I’m humbled, honored, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast & crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations. Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two! On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog & PlayStation, thank you!”
“The Last of Us” takes place 20 years after the collapse of modern civilization following a global pandemic. Joel, a hardened survivor with military training, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What seems like an easy job becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they depend on each other while trekking across a post-apocalyptic US.
Much like the video game, this series explores isolation, darkness, coming of age, the shattering of innocence, love and loss, and survival against all odds.
Season 1 stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Tor as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.
“I’m so grateful to Neil Druckmann and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey,” said writer and
co-executive producer Craig Mazin. “The audience has given us the chance to continue, and as a fan of the characters and world Neil and Naughty Dog created, I couldn’t be more ready to dive back in [with Season 2].”
The series streams on HBO GO.