As one HBO primetime show concludes, with the end of The White Lotus, another eagerly anticipated series steps into the spotlight. Two years after its debut on Max, the video game adaptation The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, is set to return for a highly anticipated second season.
The narrative of both the original The Last of Us game and its first season on Max concluded with a cliffhanger that promises significant repercussions. For those familiar with The Last of Us Part 2, like myself, the upcoming season evokes a mix of excitement and apprehension about seeing these intense events unfold on screen. Simon Cardy from IGN noted in his review of Season 2 that adapting the expansive and complex story of The Last of Us Part 2 into a television format was always going to be challenging. Consequently, the story will extend into a third season.
If you're planning to watch the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2 or need to catch up on Season 1, here are all the details you need.
**How to Watch The Last of Us Season 2** -----------------------------------------
### The Last of Us
2See it at MaxThe Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Standalone Max subscriptions start at $9.99 and can be bundled with Hulu and Disney+.
Season 2 Episode Release Dates
The Last of Us Season 2 will consist of seven episodes, two fewer than the first season. New episodes will be released on Max every Sunday at 9pm EST/6pm CST. Here’s the complete release schedule:
Episode 1: "Future Days" - April 13Episode 2: TBA - April 20Episode 3: TBA - April 27Episode 4: TBA - May 4Episode 5: TBA - May 11Episode 6: TBA - May 18Episode 7: TBA - May 25### Catch Up on the First Season
The entire first season of The Last of Us is available for streaming on Max, with individual episodes also available to rent or purchase through Prime Video. HBO has also released a limited edition 4K steelbook of Season 1:
### The Last of Us: The Complete First Season (4K UHD)
1Limited-edition collectible steelbook.$50.55 save 19%$40.79 at Amazon### The Last of Us Season 3 Has Already Been Confirmed
Sony and HBO have confirmed that The Last of Us will return for a third season. While no official release date has been announced, production is set to begin this summer. It's important to note that this does not indicate the development of a third Last of Us game; Naughty Dog is currently focused on their next project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Adapting The Last of Us: Part 2
### The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
1See it at PlayStation DirectSee it at SteamThe first season of The Last of Us adapted the entire first game, taking some creative liberties. Season 2 will delve into the storylines of The Last of Us Part 2, which will be spread across the next two seasons.
From IGN’s 10/10 Review of The Last of Us Part 2:
"The Last of Us Part 2 is a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor. Taking strides forward in nearly every way, Ellie steps into the spotlight and carries the sequel in a manner that feels like the culmination of everything that’s made Naughty Dog’s blockbuster storytelling so memorable since the original Uncharted on the PlayStation 3."
Both Naughty Dog games have been remastered, with a new edition of The Last of Us Part 2 released on PC just last week. Additionally, a "Complete" edition of both games has been announced, with a physical release planned for this summer. Sony has also launched a special edition DualSense controller to celebrate the series.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast and Crew
The Last of Us Season 2 is helmed by the original game’s creator, Neil Druckmann, and Craig Mazin (known for Chernobyl), both of whom serve as writers alongside Haley Gross, co-writer of The Last of Us Part 2. Each episode will have its own director, including notable names like Mark Mylod (Succession, The Menu, Game of Thrones), Peter Hoar (It's a Sin, Daredevil, Doctor Who), and Stephen Williams (Lost).
Here’s the main cast for the new season of The Last of Us:
Pedro Pascal as Joel MillerBella Ramsey as EllieGabriel Luna as TommyRutina Wesley as MariaKaitlyn Dever as AbbyYoung Mazino as JesseIsabela Merced as DinaDanny Ramirez as MannyAriela Barer as MelTati Gabrielle as NoraSpencer Lord as OwenCatherine O'Hara as GailJeffrey Wright as Isaac DixonJoe Pantoliano as EugeneAlanna Ubach as HanrahanBen Ahlers as BurtonHettienne Park as Elise ParkRobert John Burke as SethNoah Lamanna as KatSome of these names might be unfamiliar as several new characters are being introduced in the new season. For more details, you can check out our full breakdown of which characters are new or returning.
