"The Last of Us" Season 2 is Set to Film in Vancouver
*Spoilers for HBO’s The Last of Us ahead!*
The Last of Us became an instant hit when it premiered on HBO in early 2023, and almost immediately after its debut, the time-jumping, post-apocalyptic series was renewed for season 2. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us follows survivor Joel (Pascal), who, 20 years after a fungal infection devastated society, is tasked to help 14-year-old Ellie (Ramsey) escape a strict quarantine zone and reach doctors who hope to develop a vaccine from her blood.
After bringing in 4.7 million U.S. viewers across HBO and HBO Max, The Last of Us, based on the PlayStation adventure-horror video game of the same name, became the second most-watched series to debut on the network in over a decade. The series continued to pick up steam, surging to 7.5 million viewers in the third consecutive week of audience growth after episode 4. Leading up to its season finale, The Last of Us delivered a new series high of 8.1 million viewers for episode 8, its penultimate episode.
If you’re all the way caught up on The Last of Us season 1 and are craving more, here’s everything you need to know about The Last of Us season 2.
Is The Last of Us coming back for season 2?
Right before the series aired its third episode, executive producers and showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed that The Last of Us has been renewed. “I’m humbled, honored, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey,” Druckmann said in a press release, per The Hollywood Reporter. “The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast and crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations. Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two!”
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The Last of Us
“I’m so grateful to Neil Druckmann and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey,” Mazin said about the renewal. “The audience has given us the chance to continue, and as a fan of the characters and world Neil and Naughty Dog created, I couldn’t be more ready to dive back in.”
Has The Last of Us begun filming season 2?
It hasn't been too long since The Last of Us season one ended. While viewers of the hit series are wondering what's next for the record-breaking show, The Last Of Us star Pedro Pascal dropped a major hint about when the series could begin filming the highly-anticipated follow-up season. Pascal was asked if the series could begin filming this year during an interview with Collider, and he jokingly replied, "In the year 2023? Oh, what season are we in now? We're getting into spring." When asked to clarify, Pascal explained, "Yes, there is a chance. Yes." So, it looks like Joel and Ellie may embark on a new journey sooner rather than later.
According to a March 2023 report by Deadline, the second season of the hit HBO series is set to film in Vancouver, Canada. Per the outlet, fans of The Last Of Us II video game already know that an important part of Joel and Ellie's story takes place in the Pacific Northwest. HBO has yet to share details on the specific storyline for season 2, but chances are it will be based on the second installment of the best-selling video game of the same name.
What will season 2 of The Last of Us be about?
The plot for season 2 is still under wraps. But after season 1’s cliffhanger finale, Joel may grapple with the consequences of his decision not to let Ellie undergo surgery with the Fireflies doctors, which could have found a cure for the infectious disease that has shifted civilization. He might also have to deal with Ellie’s reaction if she discovers his lie about the surgery, that the doctors unsuccessfully found a cure in other people who are immune.
“There is more The Last of Us to come,” Mazin told Variety. “It’s quite possible that there will be a lot more infected later. And perhaps different kinds,” he added. He also addressed concerns over the amount of action in the series’ first season, compared to the video game it’s based on.
“Ultimately, we generally stressed the power of relationships and trying to find significance within moments of action,” Mazin said. “And so, there may be less action than some people wanted [in season one] because we couldn’t necessarily find significance for quite a bite of it, or [there was] concern that it would be repetitive. After all, you’re not playing it, you’re watching it. And although a lot of people do like to watch gameplay, it needs to be a little more focused and purposeful when we’re putting it on TV.”
Mazin and Druckmann previously confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the show wouldn’t waste time before jumping into The Last of Us Part II video game. “I don’t like filler,” Mazin said.
Will Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey return for The Last of Us season 2?
Although casting has not been announced yet, it’s safe to assume that both Pedro and Bella will return as Joel and Ellie in season 2. Some fans were worried that Bella wouldn’t reprise her role, given the five-year time jump that happens in The Last of Us Part II video game, but Mazin and Druckmann have confirmed that the actor will return.
“We are extremely lucky to have Bella… and the only way we would ever consider recasting Bella is if she said, ‘I don’t want to work with you guys anymore,’” Druckmann told The Wrap. “And even then we’re not sure we would grant her that. We might force her to come back this season.”
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Will The Last of Us season 2 cover the events in the game over the course of one season?
Good news, The Last of Us fans. Not only will the series return for season 2, but the story will span across multiple (!!) seasons. Both Mazin and Druckmann confirmed the news during an interview with GQ UK. When asked if it’s possible for the second season to encompass the storyline that remains in the video game, Mazin replied, “No. No way,” before Druckmann added, “It’s more than one season.”
When the GQ staffer noticed that the show’s co-creators mentioned more than one more future season, they inquired about how many it would entail. “You have noted correctly that we will not say how many. But more than one is factually correct,” Mazin laughed. Druckmann continued, “Some of the stuff I’m most excited for [in part 2] are the changes we’ve discussed and seeing the story come to life again in this other version. And I think it’s exciting because it leans into those feelings you had from the game, really heavily, in a new way.”
Is there a release date?
The Last of Us season 1 finale premiered on March 12, 2023, but an official release date for season 2 has not been confirmed just yet. Of course, we’ll update here as more details are announced.
