A scene from HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’
With its stellar debut last year, H.B.O. The Last of Us is moving forward with its highly anticipated second season. Following the resolution of the Hollywood strike, production is in full swing, with some major developments including an expanded cast and projected release dates.
The first season was shot in Calgary, Alberta, and featured a great cast including Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, and Nick Offerman. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal will reprise their roles as Ellie and Joel in the second season, which will be based on the events of the 2020 sequel video game.
The upcoming season is set to premiere in 2025, as hinted by HBO boss Casey Bloys in late 2023. Unlike its previous season, Season 2 will have seven episodes. Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann explained, “The amount of story material we’ve got from Part II of the game is far more than what was in the first game, so we had to figure out from the beginning how to tell that story in a season.” The duo has assured fans that despite the season’s short length, each episode will feel “like a blockbuster in its own right,” with one episode being significantly longer.
Production on the new season began in February this year in Vancouver, which aligns with the game’s setting in the Pacific Northwest. The season will continue to explore cycles of violence, hatred, and revenge, as Mazin and Druckmann emphasize “the pursuit of justice at any cost for your loved ones.”
The series already features some new faces. Kaitlyn Dever has been cast as Abby, a character driven by vengeance. Young Mazino will play Jesse, a community pillar with a complicated sense of duty. Isabella Merced will join as Dina, Eli’s new romantic interest, and Catherine O’Hara has been cast in an undisclosed guest role.
Additional cast members include Danny Ramirez as Manny, a bright-tempered soldier who hides deep fears, Ariela Barer as Mel, a dedicated young doctor, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, a therapist haunted by her past, and Spencer Lord as Owen, a gentle soul in a warrior’s body. Jeffrey Wright will play Isaac, the formidable leader of the Washington Liberation Front.
With the second season not much time away, the show’s momentum is pointing towards a third and fourth season. Mazin said, “We don’t think we’ll be able to tell the story in two seasons.” [2 and 3] Because we’re taking our time and going down interesting paths, as we did a little bit in Season 1 as well.”
