The Last of Us Season 2 Set for April 2025 Release

HBO has confirmed that The Last of Us Season 2 will officially premiere in April 2025, much to the excitement of fans who have been eagerly waiting to see the story of The Last of Us Part II unfold on the small screen. Although an exact release date hasn't been given, the announcement narrows the window for the highly anticipated return of the post-apocalyptic series. Along with the announcement, a new trailer has been released, offering a closer look at Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. In the trailer, we see Abby walking through the hospital featured in both Season 1 and the original game. The ominous trailer features her voice as she shares cryptic words: "It doesn't matter if you have a code like me. There are just some things everyone agrees are just... wrong." This dark tone teases some major conflicts and drama ahead in the seven episodes of Season 2.

The official logline for the new season reads, "Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind." The trailer and this description hint at an emotionally charged storyline, which promises to delve deeper into the tensions between Joel and Ellie while introducing new characters and challenges. Season 2 will only cover part of the story from The Last of Us Part II, with showrunner Craig Mazin revealing that the full arc may require as many as four seasons to complete.

The Last of Us Part II, the game upon which the new season is based, was released in 2020 and continues the story of Joel and Ellie four years after the events of the first game. The game follows two main characters: Ellie, who embarks on a revenge quest after a tragic loss, and Abby, a soldier whose path intersects with Ellie's in a violent and emotional conflict. In the game, Ellie seeks retribution for her father’s death at the hands of Joel, leading to intense confrontations, deepening relationships, and shocking twists. With its compelling narrative and complex characters, The Last of Us Part II sets the stage for a thrilling continuation of HBO's adaptation.

The Last of Us has received widespread acclaim, earning a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 486 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 8.75/10. The show's general consensus praises its ability to capture the essence of the beloved video game while deepening its story. Metacritic also awarded it a weighted average of 84/100, signaling universal acclaim. Many critics, including GameSpot’s Mark Delaney, hailed it as the best video game adaptation, marking a new era for the genre.