As one HBO primetime show ends (farewell, The White Lotus), another must rise to take its spot. Two years after The Last of Us first aired on Max, the video game adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey is returning for a second season.

The Last of Us game and the first season of the show both end with a cliffhanger that has significant consequences. Fans who have played The Last of Us Part 2, myself included, are likely experiencing a mix of terror and excitement at the prospect of seeing the sequel's events unfold on screen. In IGN's review of Season 2, Simon Cardy notes that adapting "The Last of Us Part 2’s sprawling, twisting story into a television show" was always going to be challenging. Therefore, it's logical that the narrative will extend into a third season.

If you're planning to watch the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2 or need to catch up on Season 1, here are the details you need.

### 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 Last of Us Season 2 will consist of seven episodes, two fewer than Season 1. New episodes will be released on Max every Sunday at 9pm EST/6pm CST. Here’s the full release 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 available to rent or purchase through Prime Video. HBO also 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 confirmed that The Last of Us will return for Season 3. While there's no official release date yet, production is set to begin this summer. The studio has clarified that this renewal does not indicate a third game in the series. Naughty Dog is currently focused on their next 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 Last of Us show covered the entire first game with some creative changes. Season 2 will delve into the storylines from The Last of Us Part 2, which will be split across the next two seasons.

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 released for PC last week. Additionally, Naughty Dog announced a new "Complete" edition of both games, with a physical release planned for this summer. Sony also released a special edition DualSense controller to celebrate the series.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast and Crew

Led by the original game's creator Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), the writing team for Season 2 includes Haley Gross, co-writer of The Last of Us Part 2 game. Each episode will be directed by a different director, including Mark Mylod (Succession, The Menu, Game of Thrones), Peter Hoar (It's a Sin, Daredevil, Doctor Who), and Stephen Williams (Lost).

Here’s the main cast for the new season of The Last of Us:

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 names might be new to you; several original characters will be introduced in the new season. For more details, check out our full breakdown of which characters are new or returning.