Twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed, Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the United States and depend on each other for survival.

The Last of Us Season 2 Review: Everything You Need to Know About the Epic Return to Post-Apocalyptic America

The much-anticipated new season on HBO’s cult show “The Last of Us” is finally here and brings fans back to the post-apocalyptic universe of Joel as well as Ellie. After the critically-acclaimed debut season, which captivated viewers by 2023. The Last of Us Season 2 was released the 13th of April, 2025 and has already had everyone talking. If you’re wondering if the new season does justice to expectations, or what happened in the opening episode or who will be joining the cast this season you’re in the right spot. Let’s look into all you should know about the Last of Us Season 2.

The Last of Us Season 2 Release Date and Where to Watch

The Last of Us Season 2 was officially released on April 13 2025, on the 13th of April at 9 p.m. ET/PT HBO and is now available to stream via Max on the US. For UK viewers The show on April 14, 2019, Monday through Sky Atlantic and NOW. The premiere is the result of over two decades of anticipation since the premiere season impressed viewers and critics alike.

The first season included nine episodes, The Last of Us Season 2 will have seven episodes. Although this may appear to be an insignificant amount of time however, showrunner Craig Mazin explained that these seven episodes are “high-calorie, dense episodes” which will provide a lot of punch.

If you’re curious about The Last of Us Season 2 release date on Netflix Unfortunately, this program will be an HBO exclusive and currently not on Netflix. You’ll require an HBO subscription or Max account to stream the most recent episodes as they air.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: New and Returning Faces

The Last of Us Season 2 returns the main cast of the first season, while also introducing various new characters vital to the plot. This is the cast you’ll be seeing this season:

Returning Cast:

• Pedro Pascal as Joel
• Bella Ramsey as Ellie
• Gabriel Luna as Tommy
• Rutina Wesley as Maria

New Cast Members:

• Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
• Isabela Merced as Dina
• Young Mazino as Jesse
• Ariela Barer as Mel
• Tati Gabrielle as Nora
• Spencer Lord as Owen
• Danny Ramirez as Manny
• Jeffrey Wright as Isaac
• Catherine O’Hara in an undisclosed role
• Joe Pantoliano as Eugene
• Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan
• Ben Ahlers as Burton
• Hettienne Park as Elise
• Robert John Burke as Seth
• Noah Lamanna as Kat

The most talked about new additions in The Last of Us Season 2 cast is Kaitlyn Dever in the role of Abby the character that plays an important role in the story that is based upon The Last of Us Part II game. The fans from the franchise will know a lot the characters whereas newcomers to the series will meet the characters as the season progresses.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 Recap: “Future Days”

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 The episode, which is named “Future Days” (a reference to the Pearl Jam song featured in the game) The episode kicked off the new season off with an impressive beginning. The episode opens with a scene that avid fans from the show will be familiar with. It’s Joel instructing Ellie on how to play the guitar specifically, in particular the Pearl Jam song “Future Days”. This sweet moment between Joel and Ellie reminds us of their relationship from Season 1, while hinting at the changing nature of their relationship.

The episode is set five years following the events of Season 1 which is evident by Joel’s long hair. We discover the fact that Joel along with Ellie have settled into Jackson the community, which is managed by Tommy and Maria. There’s a distinct difference of opinion in the relationship between Joel and Ellie due to Joel’s lies about what transpired at the hospital along with the Fireflies.

in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 we are also introduced to some new characters, including Dina which appears to be a possible romantic interest for Ellie. They dance together at a gathering in Jackson which was prominently featured within the film’s trailer.

The episode also provides our first glimpses at Abby the mysterious new character who will set the stage for major plot developments for the upcoming season. Without divulging too many spoilers, this premiere episode sets the stage for what is sure to be an intense and thrilling season.

What can we expect in The Last of Us Season 2

Based on interviews, trailers, and the sources, The Last of Us Season 2 promises to be more dark and emotionally complicated than the previous season. The co-creator Craig Mazin has compared it to “The Empire Strikes Back,” suggesting a third chapter that will test our heroes, and may close on a more dark note.

The show will adapt the plot of The Last of Us Part II game, although the show’s producers have mentioned a few deviations from the original source material. One of the notable changes is the origin story of Abby The creators have teased would be different in comparison to the original game.

The fans can anticipate seeing more kinds that are infected (the zombie-like creatures of the fungus called cordyceps) in Season 2. The trailers have revealed glimpses of clicking creatures emerging from the snow, and what looks like an obstructor being torched by an arc-flamethrower.

It is the relationship that exists between Joel and Ellie is the central theme of this season and Bella Ramsey describing it as “sadder for sure”. The season will examine the effects of Joel’s behavior towards the end in Season 1, and the way they impact his relationship with Ellie.

Is The Last of Us Season 2 Worth Watching?

Based on the premiere episode as well as initial reviews The Last of Us Season 2 is definitely worth watching, particularly for those who enjoyed Season 1 of the show. The season has been praised by critics with an overall rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes with more than 40 reviews. Although some critics have described it in terms of “incomplete” but “gripping,” the general consensus appears suggest that this show is continuing to provide high-quality storytelling and performances.

If you’re a big fan of the series and the series, you’ll love that the series adapts to the complex storyline from The Last of Us Part II. If you’re unfamiliar with the franchise, the character-driven narrative and post-apocalyptic setting make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

How Many Episodes Are in The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us Season 2 is comprised of seven episodes less than the nine episodes of Season 1. However the show’s director Craig Mazin has explained that the season only covers a small portion of the storyline that was told in The Last of Us Part II game, which includes substantially greater content over the initial game. The smaller episode count lets them focus on the breakpoints that naturally occur in the story, indicating that there could be a third season to finish the adaptation.

Will There Be a Last of Us Season 3?

Although HBO hasn’t declared The Last of Us Season 3 yet, all indications suggest that it will happen. Since Season 2 only covers part of The Last of Us Part II game’s plot and the huge popularity of the show, the possibility of a third season is likely. The creators have indicated that they are that they are looking at “natural breakpoints” in the story that can be split into seasons, which suggests they’re looking beyond Season 2.

Why Is Ellie Immune in The Last of Us?

One of the major mystery that is the focus of The Last of Us is what causes Ellie is not affected by the cordyceps fungus which has destroyed humanity. In the premiere we found out the fact that Ellie was born shortly after her mother had contracted the disease and that her immune system could be due to the fungus’ exposure before her birth. If Season 2 will explore this further is yet to be determined yet, but it remains to be a major part of the plot.

The Last of Us Season 2 Filming Locations

The Last of Us Season 2 started filming in early 2024, as evidenced by images shared by HBO in May 2024. Although specific locations for filming aren’t documented extensively in the results of a search The production has kept the same production quality that created the first season to be so striking visually.

Conclusion: Your Guide to The Last of Us Season 2

The Last of Us Season 2 is out with all the emotion, tension and breathtaking visuals that made the first season such a huge success. With its impressive actors, captivating story and an authentic yet imaginative adaptation of the source material this season is set to be one of the 2025’s essential shows to watch.

No matter if you’re a huge fan of the show or liked the first season The Last of Us, The Last of Us Season 2 is a thrilling continuing of Joel and Ellie’s adventures through a devastated world caused by the deadly cordyceps epidemic. New characters specifically Abby, Dina, and Jesse bring fresh energy to the narrative, and the growing relationships that exists between Joel and Ellie is the heart of the story.

While you watch the shows each week you’ll be drawn into the tangled moral complexities and heart-wrenching situations that The Last of Us has been renowned for. It’s the Last of Us Season 2 is more than just great TV, it’s storytelling at its best.