The excitement for the second season of The Last of Us is palpable even before its release, as it continues to make waves in the entertainment world. The latest trailer for Season 2, unveiled during a SXSW panel, has achieved an astonishing 158 million views across various platforms in just three days, as reported by Warner Brothers Discovery. This figure not only sets a new record for HBO and Max original programming but also surpasses previous promotional material for the show by an impressive 160%.
You can’t stop this.
— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025
#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV
The anticipation for Season 2 is evident as the show continues to gain momentum. The first season's episodes are averaging approximately 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale in March 2023, according to Deadline. This surge in viewership reflects the growing fanbase and their eagerness for the continuation of the story, making The Last of Us one of HBO's most successful series in recent years.
The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters
3 Images
Season 2 will feature a five-year time jump, continuing the journey of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world that has become even more perilous and unpredictable. Returning stars include Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley, with new additions to the cast such as Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.
During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin revealed exciting developments for Season 2, including the reintroduction of spores, which were absent in the first season. The trailer hinted at this by showing Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected whose breath releases spores.
Druckmann elaborated on the expansion of the infected, stating, "There is an escalation of numbers and types of infected, but also, as you see in the trailer, an escalation of the vector of how this thing spreads." He highlighted the introduction of new elements like the tendrils seen in Season 1 and the spores seen in the trailer, emphasizing the dramatic necessity of these additions. Mazin confirmed, "Spores are back," and Druckmann added, "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 for introducing it now. And there is."
Fans can look forward to the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2 on April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.
