The anticipation for The Last of Us Season 2 is palpable, even before its premiere. The recently released trailer, unveiled at SXSW, has already amassed over 158 million views across platforms in just three days—a record for HBO and Max original programming, exceeding previous promotional views by at least 160%, according to Warner Brothers Discovery. This staggering number reflects the show's growing popularity, with Season 1 episodes averaging approximately 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically. This is a significant increase from the Season 1 finale's 8.2 million same-day viewers, demonstrating the intense excitement surrounding the upcoming season and the show's overall success.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

Season 2 will feature a five-year time jump, depicting Joel and Ellie navigating a more dangerous and unpredictable world, leading to conflict between them. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined by new cast members Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

At the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed the return of spores, a key element omitted from Season 1. The trailer hints at their reintroduction, showcasing Ellie witnessing an infected releasing spores. Druckmann explained an "escalation of numbers and types of infected," and a change in the infection's vector. Mazin confirmed the spores' return, emphasizing the dramatic context for their inclusion in Season 2.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.