The anticipation for The Last of Us Season 2 is palpable, even before its premiere. The recently released trailer, showcased at SXSW, has already amassed over 158 million views across platforms in just three days—a record for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous promotional material by at least 160%, according to Warner Brothers Discovery.
This surge in viewership reflects the show's growing popularity. While Season 1 episodes average around 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the finale, the trailer's phenomenal numbers highlight the immense anticipation for the new season. This success solidifies The Last of Us as one of HBO's most successful shows in recent years.
The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters
Season 2 will feature a five-year time jump, depicting Joel and Ellie facing new conflicts and a more perilous world. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley are joined by newcomers 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 notable element absent from Season 1. The trailer hints at their reintroduction, showcasing Ellie encountering an infected releasing spores. Druckmann explained an "escalation of numbers and types of infected," and a shift in the infection's spread. Mazin explicitly confirmed the spores' return, with Druckmann 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.
