Attention, The Last of Us fans! HBO boss Casey Bloys has revealed new information about the show’s second season.
Earlier this year, the HBO adaptation of the popular game franchise became an instant hit with TV enthusiasts for its stellar storytelling and showstopping acting performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
Due to its popularity and universal acclaim – boasting a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes – the show was renewed for a second season weeks before its season one finale.
At the time, Neil Druckmann, executive producer, celebrated the news in a statement: “I’m humbled, honored, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast & crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations.
“Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two! On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog & PlayStation, thank you!”
Over the last few months, fans have anxiously awaited news regarding season two and its release date.
Fortunately, HBO CEO Casey Bloys recently shed some light on when fans can expect the series to return to their TV screens.
While attending a press conference on 2 November, the network boss revealed that The Last of Us season two is set to go into production in early 2024, with a tentative release schedule set for 2025, per Deadline.
Bloys also attributed the series’ delayed return to the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Even though fans will have to wait a little longer for Joel, Ellie and the infected to return, the show’s creatives have already started to set the groundwork for the new batch of episodes.
In an August interview with Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist podcast, showrunner Craig Mazin revealed that they were able to “map out” season two before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes started.
“I also wrote and submitted the script for the first episode and sent it in [to HBO] around 10:30 or 10:40 pm right before the midnight and the strike began.”
In addition to the drafting up season two, Mazin has cast an actor for the role of Abby Anderson, which he revealed in a September interview with LA Times.
Rumours are still rife that Shannon Berry of The Wilds fame will play Abby because of their physical similarities.
The actress also follows Mazin’s co-showrunner Neil Druckmann on Instagram, as well as Pascal and Ramsey, who play series leads Joel and Ellie.
While season one closely mirrored the main events of the first game in the series, the second game will reportedly take “more than one season”.
Mazin and Druckmann were asked by British GQ if the second season will “span the entire course” of Part II, to which Mazin swiftly responded: “No. No way.” He refused to reveal how many seasons it would take, but did share that “more than one is factually correct”.
For more The Last of Us season two information click here.
Latest
