As one HBO primetime show ends, with the farewell to The White Lotus, another must rise to take its place. Two years after The Last of Us first aired on Max, the video game adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey is returning for a highly anticipated second season.
The Last of Us game and the first season of the show both concluded with a cliffhanger that promises significant consequences. Fans who have played The Last of Us Part 2, including myself, are experiencing a mix of terror and excitement at the prospect of seeing these events unfold on screen. In IGN's review of Season 2, Simon Cardy notes that adapting The Last of Us Part 2's expansive and intricate story into a television format was always going to be challenging. Therefore, it's understandable that the narrative 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 its predecessor. New episodes will be released on Max every Sunday at 9pm EST/6pm CST. Here is 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 available to rent or purchase on Prime Video. HBO 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 officially renewed The Last of Us for a third season. Although no release date has been announced, production is set to begin this summer. The studio emphasizes that this does not signal the development of a third Last of Us game; instead, Naughty Dog is focusing on their new 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 Last of Us games have been remastered, with a new edition of The Last of Us Part 2 recently released on PC. Naughty Dog has also announced a "Complete" edition of both games, set for a physical release this summer. In addition to the games, Sony released 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 spearheaded by the original game's creator, Neil Druckmann, alongside Craig Mazin (known for Chernobyl), with both serving 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 characters in the new season are entirely new, so don't be surprised if you don't recognize some of these names. For more details, check out our full breakdown of which characters are new or returning.