After spending months relatively silent following its soon-to-be-award-winning debut season earlier this year, HBO has finally broken its silence regarding the live-action adaptation of The Last of Us. HBO CEO, Casey Bloys, revealed during a recent press conference that the second season of The Last of Us will start production in early 2024, hoping to release its follow-up season in 2025, as per Variety. Such a timeline is consistent with the filming and production cycle observed for the show’s first season.
The acclaimed series, which centers around the gripping journey of survivors Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, and Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, through a society ravaged by a devastating fungal infection, is poised to return following quite a tumultuous year because of the still-ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
The first season, premiering in January, wasn’t only critically lauded but also garnered a viewership that placed it second only to House of the Dragon since Boardwalk Empire came out in 2010, signifying HBO’s unwavering commitment to its hit show despite the production delays. However, with the WGA strike having concluded, and positive momentum being reported regarding the SAG-AFTRA negotiations, there’s cautious optimism that the franchise will resume its production journey. Bloys shared, “I have had my fingers crossed all week that SAG settles because obviously, we would all like to get back to work.”
The Last of Us Season 2’s narrative is expected to delve into The Last of Us Part 2, with its showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the latter of which is the franchise’s co-creator, having already mapped out multiple seasons and even submitted the script for the first episode prior to the strikes. This preparatory work proves that production is all ready to commence as soon as the Hollywood industry stabilizes once the strikes are over.
Much to the celebration of fans, HBO has teased the introduction of a pivotal character from the game sequel, Abby, a role laced with controversy and complexity, further heightening anticipation. While the exact casting for Abby remains under wraps, her presence will undeniably infuse the second season with a fresh narrative dynamism.
Bloys, aware of the stakes and the fanbase’s eagerness, conveyed a mixture of pragmatism and optimism. With plans in place for alternatve schedules should the strike take longer, HBO is prepared for eventualities. Still, HBO remains hopeful, with Bloys emphasizing the network’s desire for everyone involved to return to work happily.
In the interim, HBO is not leaving its audience in a lurch, with a plethora of programming slated for 2024. These include the return of House of the Dragon in early summer, and other acclaimed series such as True Detective: Night Country, Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12, The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 3, Hacks Season 3, and Industry Season 3, ensuring that the network remains at the forefront of compelling storytelling.
Despite the setbacks, the network’s foresight and planning ensure that once the proverbial dust settles, Joel and Ellie’s harrowing journey will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
In the meantime, The Last of Us fans can look forward to updates regarding the delayed multiple spin-off. Many reports claim that it’s either been “put on ice” or canceled, which would be in line with Sony’s recent pivot from its ambitious live service plans, a possible fact proven by Bungie’s recent layoffs. Finally, it’s believed that The Last of Us Part 2 is getting a PS5 and PC port.
