As HBO bids farewell to one of its acclaimed series, The White Lotus, it welcomes back the gripping adaptation of the video game, The Last of Us, for its highly anticipated second season. Two years after its debut on Max, the show featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey returns, ready to delve deeper into the harrowing world established in the first season and the original game. The cliffhanger endings of both the game and the show have left fans, especially those familiar with The Last of Us Part 2, buzzing with a mix of excitement and dread about what's to come. IGN's Simon Cardy noted in his review of Season 2 that adapting the sequel's complex narrative into a television format was always going to be challenging, which explains the decision to span the story across a third season.
For those eager to dive into Season 2 or needing to catch up on Season 1, here's all you need to know:
**How to Watch The Last of Us Season 2** -----------------------------------------
### The Last of Us
2See it at MaxThe Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Standalone Max subscriptions start at $9.99 and can be bundled with Hulu and Disney+.
Season 2 Episode Release Dates
The second season will consist of seven episodes, a reduction from the nine in Season 1. New episodes will air every Sunday at 9pm EST/6pm CST on Max. Here is the complete schedule:
Episode 1: "Future Days" - April 13Episode 2: TBA - April 20Episode 3: TBA - April 27Episode 4: TBA - May 4Episode 5: TBA - May 11Episode 6: TBA - May 18Episode 7: TBA - May 25### Catch Up on the First Season
The entire first season of The Last of Us is available to stream on Max, with individual episodes also available to rent or purchase on Prime Video. For collectors, HBO has released a limited edition 4K steelbook of Season 1:
### The Last of Us: The Complete First Season (4K UHD)
1Limited-edition collectible steelbook.$50.55 save 19%$40.79 at Amazon### The Last of Us Season 3 Has Already Been Confirmed
Sony and HBO have officially greenlit The Last of Us for a third season. While no release date has been set, production is slated to begin this summer. It's worth noting that this does not signal the development of a third Last of Us game; Naughty Dog's focus remains on their upcoming project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Adapting The Last of Us: Part 2
### The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
1See it at PlayStation DirectSee it at SteamThe first season of the show covered the entirety of the first game, with some creative liberties taken. Season 2 will tackle the narratives from The Last of Us Part 2, which will be further explored in Season 3.
From IGN's 10/10 review of The Last of Us Part 2:
"The Last of Us Part 2 is a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor. Taking strides forward in nearly every way, Ellie steps into the spotlight and carries the sequel in a manner that feels like the culmination of everything that’s made Naughty Dog’s blockbuster storytelling so memorable since the original Uncharted on the PlayStation 3."
Both Naughty Dog games have been remastered, with a new edition of The Last of Us Part 2 recently released on PC. A "Complete" edition of both games, featuring a physical release, is scheduled for this summer. Additionally, Sony has released a special edition DualSense controller to celebrate the series.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast and Crew
The Last of Us Season 2 is helmed by Neil Druckmann, the original game's creator, alongside Craig Mazin (known for Chernobyl), with Haley Gross, co-writer of The Last of Us Part 2, also contributing to the writing. Each episode will be directed by a different director, including Mark Mylod (known for Succession, The Menu, and Game of Thrones), Peter Hoar (who has worked on It's a Sin, Daredevil, and Doctor Who), and Stephen Williams (known for Lost).
The cast for the new season includes:
Pedro Pascal as Joel MillerBella Ramsey as EllieGabriel Luna as TommyRutina Wesley as MariaKaitlyn Dever as AbbyYoung Mazino as JesseIsabela Merced as DinaDanny Ramirez as MannyAriela Barer as MelTati Gabrielle as NoraSpencer Lord as OwenCatherine O'Hara as GailJeffrey Wright as Isaac DixonJoe Pantoliano as EugeneAlanna Ubach as HanrahanBen Ahlers as BurtonHettienne Park as Elise ParkRobert John Burke as SethNoah Lamanna as KatSome of these characters are new to the series, adding fresh dynamics to the unfolding narrative. For a detailed look at which characters are new or returning, check out our comprehensive breakdown.
