The anticipation for The Last of Us Season 2 is palpable, even before its premiere. The recently released trailer, unveiled 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 staggering viewership demonstrates the show's escalating popularity, attracting both existing fans and new viewers. 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 Season 1 finale), this trailer's performance underscores the immense excitement surrounding the upcoming season. The show's success is undeniable, solidifying its place as one of HBO's most successful series in recent years.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

Season 2 will feature a five-year time jump, following Joel and Ellie as they navigate a more dangerous and unpredictable world, facing conflict with each other and new threats. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be 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 key element omitted from Season 1. The trailer hints at their reintroduction, showcasing Ellie witnessing an infected releasing spores. Druckmann explained that Season 2 will see "an escalation of numbers and types of infected, but also…an escalation of the vector of how this thing spreads," introducing a new method of infection shown in the trailer. Mazin confirmed the spores' return, with Druckmann adding that their reintroduction is driven by a dramatic narrative necessity.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025 on HBO and HBO Max.