HBO has dropped the highly anticipated official trailer for The Last of Us season 2… and we’re not sure we’re ready for what will likely be one hell of an emotional second chapter. Take a look above and learn more below.
The Fallout Between Joel and Ellie
The trailer, first shown during South by Southwest (SXSW) alongside a panel with the cast and creators, makes it abundantly clear that things between Joel and Ellie are not going to be okay. Five years have passed, but the weight of Joel’s actions in the Firefly hospital still lingers, and Ellie knows. A gut-wrenching moment comes at the very end of the trailer. “You swore,” an emotional Ellie tells Joel. It is, of course, a callback to the season one finale, where Joel promised her that everything he told her about the Fireflies was true. That lie is now fully out in the open, and the rift between them is undeniable.
The new footage also introduces the next wave of threats Joel and Ellie will have to navigate. The Washington Liberation Front (WLF), a well-armed militia, and the Seraphites, a cult-like faction, will play major roles this season. The infected, which many felt were underutilised in season one, are much more present this time, including glimpses of airborne spores—an element from the games that was previously left out.
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A Stacked Cast and Major New Players
Alongside Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, returning cast members include Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria. Among the newcomers: Kaitlyn Dever as Abby (a very, very important character – as those that are familiar with the game will know), Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara is also on board in a guest role.
While the trailer gives us brief glimpses of Abby, it keeps her under wraps.
Adapting The Last of Us Part II
Season one closely followed the original The Last of Us game, and season two takes on Part II, which is a larger, more complex story. Showrunner Craig Mazin has already confirmed that this part of the narrative will span multiple seasons, meaning the adaptation won’t be rushed. Mazin has also hinted that the story could extend beyond season three, though where it will ultimately end remains to be seen.
The Creative Team and Release Date
The series remains under the creative direction of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who serve as writers and executive producers. It is produced by HBO in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog. Other executive producers include Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells, with Halley Gross serving as a co-executive producer.
The seven-episode second season premieres Monday, 14 April, streaming exclusively on Max, with new episodes dropping each Monday. In Australia, The Last of Us season 2 will stream on Max, which is set to launch in the country on 31 March, replacing Binge as the series’ previous streaming home.
