Hey fellow survivors! Can you believe it? After what felt like FOREVER, “The Last of Us” Season 2 premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on HBO! I’ve been counting down the days since the first season blew us all away back in 2023. If you somehow missed the hype train, this show adapts Naughty Dog’s incredible video game series, and trust me, it’s unlike any other adaptation I’ve seen.
Where We Left Off & What’s Coming
So Season 2 jumps FIVE YEARS into the future from where we left Joel and Ellie. Remember that ending that had us all screaming at our screens? Yeah, there are definitely going to be some consequences. Their relationship—which was complicated enough already—is now dealing with some serious baggage, and honestly, I’m here for all the emotional drama.
For anyone who needs a refresher: Season 1 showed us a world destroyed by this terrifying Cordyceps fungus that basically turns people into mushroom zombies (still gives me nightmares). Joel, this gruff, broken smuggler played perfectly by Pedro Pascal, gets hired to escort Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a sassy teenager who’s mysteriously immune to the infection. What starts as a job turns into this deep father-daughter bond that just wrecked me emotionally.
Now in Season 2, they’re dealing with the fallout of Joel’s choices, and I’m already stocking up on tissues because I know this is going to hurt.
The Cast Is Back!
Pedro and Bella are back (thank goodness because they ARE Joel and Ellie to me now), and their chemistry is just chef’s kiss. I’ve seen some early reviews saying they take their performances to another level this season, which I didn’t even think was possible!
We’re also getting some new faces from the second game. I won’t spoil who for the non-gamers out there, but game fans know exactly who I’m talking about and why I’m both excited and terrified to see these characters brought to life.
Seven Episodes of Intensity
Here’s the only bummer—Season 2 is only seven episodes (down from nine in Season 1), running until May 25th. BUT, Druckmann and Mazin have promised that every episode counts. No filler, just pure emotional devastation! They’ve been super careful about adapting the source material in a way that works for TV without losing what made the games special.
Emmy-Winning Excellence
Let’s not forget that Season 1 absolutely CRUSHED it at the Emmys with EIGHT wins! The show even snagged a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, which is huge for a video game adaptation. This isn’t just good TV—it’s changing how people view video game storytelling.
The best news? HBO already renewed it for Season 3 before Season 2 even started! They’re not sure yet if the story will wrap up in three seasons or stretch to four, but either way, we’ve got more Joel and Ellie adventures to look forward to.
How to Watch Tonight
Tonight’s episode drops at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. If you’re a streamer like me, you can catch it on Max. Haven’t seen Season 1 yet? What are you waiting for?! The entire first season is on Max too—perfect for a last-minute binge before tonight.
Fair warning though: prepare yourself emotionally. This show doesn’t pull punches when it comes to heart-wrenching moments or terrifying encounters.
I’m so ready to be emotionally destroyed all over again by this beautifully tragic world where human connections somehow shine brightest against the darkest backdrop.
Who else is watching tonight? Drop a comment below with your predictions for Season 2! I’ll be live-tweeting the whole thing (with spoiler warnings, of course)!