The excitement for the second season of The Last of Us is palpable even before its release, as evidenced by the overwhelming response to its latest trailer. Unveiled during a SXSW panel, the Season 2 trailer has shattered records, amassing over 158 million views across various platforms within just three days, according to Warner Brothers Discovery. This achievement marks a significant milestone for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous promotional content for the series by an impressive 160%.
You can’t stop this.#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV
— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025
The fervor surrounding The Last of Us continues to grow, with both new and returning fans eagerly awaiting Season 2. The first season's episodes are now averaging around 32 million viewers across platforms domestically, a substantial increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers who tuned into the Season 1 finale in March 2023, as reported by Deadline. This surge in viewership suggests that fans are not only excited for the next chapter but are also revisiting the series in anticipation. The numbers underscore the show's monumental success and its status as one of HBO's most impactful series in recent times.
The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters
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Season 2 of The Last of Us will feature a five-year time jump, delving deeper into the tumultuous journey of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world that's become even more treacherous. The dynamic between the protagonists will be tested as they face new challenges and conflicts. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined by new cast members Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright, adding fresh layers to the narrative.
During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin made exciting announcements about the upcoming season. They confirmed the return of spores, which were absent in Season 1, introducing a new dimension to the spread of infection. The trailer showcased Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected whose breath releases these spores. Druckmann elaborated on the escalation of the infected's numbers and types, and the new vectors of transmission, stating, "Season 1, we had this new thing that wasn’t in the game of these tendrils that spread, and that was one form. And then one shot you see in this trailer, there are things in the air."
Mazin affirmed, "spores are back," and Druckmann explained the dramatic necessity for their reintroduction, saying, "The reason [we’re doing it now], I mean, we really wanted to figure it out, and again, everything has to be drama. There had to be a dramatic reason of introducing it now. And there is."
The Last of Us Season 2 is set to premiere on April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max, promising an even more thrilling and intense continuation of this gripping saga.
