While we’re still eagerly awaiting the premiere of Season 2 of *The Last of Us*, its impact is already being felt across the entertainment world. The latest trailer, unveiled during a special SXSW panel, has taken the internet by storm—racking up over 158 million views in just three days across all platforms. According to Warner Brothers Discovery, this marks a new record for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous promotional efforts for the series by at least 160%.
You can’t stop this.
#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max.
As anticipation builds, so does the show’s popularity. Fans old and new are diving back into the universe, fueling a surge in rewatch sessions ahead of the new season. Domestically, Season 1 is currently averaging around 32 million cross-platform viewers per episode—an impressive leap from earlier numbers. For context, the Season 1 finale drew approximately 8.2 million same-day viewers across platforms when it first aired in March 2023, according to Deadline. This spike in viewership highlights not only the growing fanbase but also the cultural footprint the series continues to build.
With numbers like these, it's clear that *The Last of Us* has become one of HBO’s most successful shows in recent memory. The blend of emotional storytelling, intense action, and deep character development has struck a chord with audiences worldwide. And as April 13 approaches, excitement shows no signs of slowing down.
New Character Posters for The Last of Us Season 2
Season 2 will pick up five years after the events of both the first season and the original game. Joel and Ellie find themselves caught in a fractured relationship and facing a world even more dangerous than before. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined this season by an incredible cast including Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright—promising even more depth and drama.
At the SXSW panel, creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed that Season 2 would reintroduce a major element absent in Season 1: spores. The trailer gave fans a glimpse of this, showing Ellie (Bella Ramsey) encountering an infected whose breath releases airborne spores. Druckmann explained that “there’s an escalation of numbers and types of infected,” and noted how the spread of the infection is evolving dramatically.
“Season 1 introduced something new—the tendrils spreading the infection—which was one form,” Druckmann said. “But now you’ll see things in the air.” Mazin added confirmation with a simple but exciting line: “Spores are back.” Druckmann further emphasized that their inclusion isn’t just for show—it serves a dramatic purpose within the story, something the team worked hard to get right.
Mark your calendars: *The Last of Us* Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025, exclusively on HBO and HBO Max. With everything teased so far—from returning favorites to brand-new threats—the wait is going to be agony.
