The Last Of Us season 2 release date, where to watch, episode list

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A deluge of new info has just dropped about The Last Of Us season 2, including its release date, story, and a major change to one of the characters.

“We don’t react to the fear of the audience, meaning our own fear of how they might react to it,” show co-creator Neil Druckmann tells Entertainment Weekly. “We keep asking, ‘What’s the best choice for this story, for these characters?’ And that’s the choice we make.”

That said, Druckmann might be bracing for a blowback against the character of Abby, arguably the most controversial figure from the video game sequel The Last Of Us season 2 is based on.

Originally played by Laura Bailey via voice and performance capture, Abby is an imposing, muscular woman. Kaitlyn Dever takes over the role in the series, and physically she’s much smaller.

“There’s not as much violent action moment to moment,” Druckmann says for the reason why show Abby doesn’t need to be as strong as game Abby. “It’s more about the drama. I’m not saying there’s no action here. It’s just, again, different priorities and how you approach it.”

Season 2 is set five years after season 1. Joel and Ellie (Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey) have journeyed across a post-apocalyptic America on their quest to find a cure to a zombie outbreak. Now settled in the Jackson, Wyoming, the pair are living a relatively normal life. However, there’s a lingering tension as Ellie questions Joel’s decision to save her life in the last season’s final episode, and in doing so, murder numerous innocent people.

Those people are Abby’s friends, which gives her ample motivation to go after him. HBO describes her as “a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loved.” It’s no mistake she’s pictured with a Firefly pendant around her neck, showing her allegiance to the revolutionary militia group attacked by Joel.

When Does The Last Of Us Season 2 Release?

The seven-episode second season releases on HBO in April, 2025. That’s two and a half years after season 1, which launched January 15, 2023.

According to series co-creator Craig Mazin, it’s just the beginning. Where season 1 adapted the first game in the series, season 2 is spreading the second game across multiple seasons. “I think it’s pretty likely that our story will extend past a season 3,” Mazin said. “How far past? I can’t say. And that’s not to say that there are not other stories that could be told, but this story is the one that Neil and I are telling.”

Who is in The Last Of Us Season 2?

As well as Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and Kaitlyn Dever, the cast of The Last Of Us season 2 stars Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Young Mazino as Jesse, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Ariela Barer as Mel, and Spencer Lord as Owen.