The highly anticipated and critically acclaimed TV series, The Last of Us, has officially been renewed for a second season. HBO, in a tweet, confirmed that they will continue the live-action adaptation of the beloved PlayStation video game. Interestingly, this announcement comes just two episodes into the first season. Neil Druckmann, the original game writer and current co-President of Naughty Dog, responded to the tweet, revealing that the new season will explore the events from the polarizing and graphic sequel, The Last of Us Part II. The decision to greenlight a second season was largely influenced by the show’s co-writer, Craig Mazin, who previously suggested that an adaptation of the sequel would depend on the show’s viewership.
While Disney+ Hotstar, the streaming platform for The Last of Us series in India, has not disclosed the viewership numbers, HBO has been transparent, sharing episode-by-episode viewership statistics. The second episode, adored by both fans and critics, garnered 5.7 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max in the US. This represents a remarkable 22 percent increase from the pilot episode, making it, according to HBO, “the largest week two audience growth for an HBO Original drama series in the history of the network”. Undoubtedly, these impressive numbers have persuaded the studio to renew the series for a second season, ensuring that the captivating journey of Joel and Ellie will continue. Although there are no official details about the cast yet, it is highly likely that the current leading actors will reprise their roles in season 2.
Expressing his gratitude, Mazin, the executive producer and showrunner of The Last of Us, said, “I’m so grateful to Neil Druckmann and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey. The audience has given us the chance to continue, and as a fan of the characters and world Neil and Naughty Dog created, I couldn’t be more ready to dive back in.” The Last of Us, much like the original game released in 2013, follows the emotionally charged story of Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), a tough survivor and smuggler, as he escorts Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey), a teenage girl, through a post-apocalyptic United States infested with infected mutants, desperate survivors, and some unsavory individuals. The series also features Nick Offerman as the shady ally Bill and Merle Dandridge as Marlene, the leader of the rebel group Fireflies. Dandridge also provided the voice for the same character in the original game.
Season 2 of The Last of Us will likely stay true to the narrative of The Last of Us Part II, which takes place five years after the events of the first game. The highly acclaimed PS4 game showcased two playable characters in a post-apocalyptic setting whose stories intertwine to create one of the most compelling revenge tales in video game history. Despite facing criticism for certain narrative choices, The Last of Us Part II became the fastest-selling PS4 exclusive, selling over four million copies in its release weekend. It was also honored at The Game Awards 2020, winning the prestigious Game of the Year trophy.
Additionally, there is speculation that season 2 might be divided into two parts. Mazin recently shared in an interview with IGN that the story in The Last of Us Part II is “more than a season’s worth of television.” He described it as a “big animal to take apart” due to its vast and intricate nature but emphasized that it is a beautiful story.
New episodes of The Last of Us are available for streaming every Monday on Disney+ Hotstar in India.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
