When will the most highly anticipated television shows of all time return? Here is everything we know about The Last of Us Season 2.
There is a constant stigma surrounding the adaptation of popular video games into any live-action format. We have seen many versions in the past with some of the most beloved video game iterations that haven’t lived up to expectations, which is quite disheartening. The interest in watching such series or movie projects based on games was starting to diminish, and not much hope was left for their future.
But much to viewers’ surprise, there was one series that premiered earlier this year that took many people by surprise! Yes, you guessed it right, it’s “The Last of Us,” which is a complete beast on its own in the gaming world and has been adored for many years, left the entire fandom shook with its beautiful interpretation in the television series format!
This new post-apocalyptic drama television series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO is based on the 2013 video game developed by Naughty Dog, took the world by storm, and has once again raised the standard of making series from an already established universe to new heights, which has been highly appreciated by the critics and viewers who haven’t even played the game.
The show stayed true to the story and didn’t completely change all the elements that hold a special place in the fan’s hearts. It was just an intriguing concept that helped them consistently break viewership records whenever a new episode of the first season dropped, which purely showcased nothing but the true testament to the series’ popularity by being a faithful adaptation.
It has received praise from fans around the world who have loved every second of it being adapted into an amazing screenplay from the original 2013 video game! On the other hand, since the series aired its final episode back in March 2023, a lot of questions like, “When will the second season premiere?” “Will it be back for the 2023 fall season?” “Is June 2023 the anticipated release window?” are being debated all over social media.
So, if you’re one of the people who wants more information on the upcoming season, then you’ve come to the right place to find out all the details, as we’ve compiled a list of all the things you should look forward to! Continue reading to find out when The Last of Us Season 2 is expected to premiere on HBO.
Is The Last of Us Season 2 coming in June 2023?
Without prolonging this question any further, we want to get the first point straight to you:
Unfortunately, it seems like the fans will have to wait some time for the show to hit their television screens. There is still plenty of time left for its official comeback as the filming of the second season hasn’t even begun yet. Right now, it seems like the show is in the early pre-production stage, which calls for the completion of the scripts before any actual production can start.
This makes one thing pretty much clear there is no chance for the show to premiere in June 2023!
On the other hand, there is a huge chance that the show might not be aiming to return this year at all because HBO Drama Chief Francesca Orsi confirmed to Deadline that writing for the new season of The Last of Us along with some other original HBO shows has been stopped due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike which has impacted many major networks, thus causing a significant delay in production to fully commence without hurdles.
“You need to find someone who can really make it their own.”
Executive producers @clmazin and @neil_druckmann and the cast of #TheLastOfUs discuss the process of bringing beloved video game characters to life on television. FYC Outstanding Drama Series. pic.twitter.com/fZlYKdga81
— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) June 2, 2023
“While everything at this moment is pencils down, I’m hopeful that we can come to terms sooner than later. Otherwise, we will have to assess what is at the end of the 24 schedule, what are the shows that are going to be delivered for 2025,” Orsi said. “At this point, those shows that I’m looking to air wouldn’t necessarily be ready if this strike lasts six to nine months. So yes, that’s a big question for us, but I think we’ll cross that road once we come to it.”
Following these uncertainties, there is no chance that the network will release new updates regarding the release date this month. But, for your relief, if we consider the production stages and the writer’s strike, which might last a few months, then we can speculate that the second season will likely premiere sometime around late 2024 or even early 2025 on HBO. Of course, this can only happen if the filming does officially begin later this year!
According to the British newspaper The Independent, Bella Ramsey who plays Ellie, openly admitted that “it will be a while” until season 2 hits HBO. Further adding, “I think we’ll probably shoot at the end of this year, beginning of next,” Bella added during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, quote, “So it’ll probably be the end of 2024, early 2025.” This makes it clear that there is still a lot of time left for the second season to premiere.
So, TLOU fans will have to be very patient and pray that no further delays will happen in the future.
The Last of Us Season 2: What to expect?
According to Deadline, the HBO drama’s filming for the second season is set to take place in British Columbia, including Vancouver, to continue the saga of Joel and Ellie’s adventures across the post-apocalyptic United States. The production is planned to begin in early 2024, which will be ideal for the show to make its return soon rather than delaying any further, which might impact the audience’s interest. Additionally, the producers have already teased more, bigger, and more elaborate zombies next season:
“There will be a couple of new pieces of casting, which I can’t get into. And of course, there isn’t much that we can go into on The Last of Us, given that Craig can’t really initiate in any meaningful way from a writing or casting standpoint. But he and Neil have a good sense of what it is that he’s going to be taking on. We’ll be moving the show from Calgary to Vancouver,” Orsi said. “All I can say is he’s taking a big swing from both an entertainment standpoint, related to the clickers, but also just the more nuanced, complex character dynamic between our characters, Joel, Ellie, and beyond.”
Creators/EPS Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann also explained the lack of infected in the first season and hinted about more infected people being involved in the second season, quoting, “I will say that even though we were greenlit for a season of television, Neil and I felt like we couldn’t just make a season of television without considering what would come after,” Mazin said. “There is more to The Last of Us to come. I think the balance is not always just about within an episode or even episode to episode, but season to season. It’s quite possible that there will be a lot more infected later.”
“You have to make quite a few changes. The changes have to be done carefully and smartly.”
Executive producers @clmazin and @Neil_Druckmann and #TheLastOfUs cast discuss the love and care they put into adapting a beloved video game for television. FYC Outstanding Drama Series. pic.twitter.com/YANNkPjVoI
— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) May 30, 2023
The Last of Us Season 2: Where to stream?
When released, The Last of Us Season 2, along with the first season, will be available to stream exclusively on Max (previously known as HBO Max). That’s not all, international viewers can also watch it by renting or purchasing it on Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Instant Video, JioCinema, Amazon Prime, and iTunes, depending on the viewer’s location and membership plans, which simultaneously depend on the package you choose.
While you wait, check out the official trailer of the first season which shows, “The Last Of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.”
Season one stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv 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 appear in the series in cameo roles.
Let us know in the comments what you expect to see in the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us.