The buzz for the second season of The Last of Us is palpable, even before its release. The latest trailer for Season 2, unveiled at a SXSW panel, has shattered records by amassing over 158 million views across various platforms within just three days, according to Warner Brothers Discovery. This staggering viewership not only sets a new benchmark for HBO and Max original programming but also surpasses previous promos for the series by a whopping 160%.
You can’t stop this. #TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV
— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025
As the anticipation builds, the show's popularity continues to soar. Season 1 episodes are now averaging around 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant leap from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale in March 2023, as reported by Deadline. This surge in viewership underscores the show's massive appeal and its status as one of HBO's most successful series in recent years.
The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters
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Season 2 will feature a significant five-year time jump, following Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world that's become even more perilous and unpredictable. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined by new cast members including Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright, adding depth to the already compelling narrative.
During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin revealed that spores, which were absent in Season 1, will make a comeback. The trailer hints at this with a scene where Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encounters an infected releasing spores through its breath. Druckmann emphasized an increase in both the number and variety of infected, as well as the introduction of new vectors for the spread of the infection. He noted, "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 confirmed the return of spores, with Druckmann adding, "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."
Mark your calendars for the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, set to air on April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.
