As one HBO primetime show concludes, another rises to take its place. Two years after the debut of *The Last of Us* on Max, the video game adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey is set to return for a highly anticipated second season. The cliffhanger endings of both the original game and the first season of the show have left fans, including those familiar with *The Last of Us Part 2*, feeling a mix of terror and excitement about what's to come. IGN's Simon Cardy noted that adapting the sprawling and twisting narrative of *The Last of Us Part 2* into a television series was always going to be a challenge, which explains why the story will extend into a third season.
If you're gearing up to watch *The Last of Us Season 2* or need to catch up on Season 1, here's everything you need to know:
**How to Watch The Last of Us Season 2** -----------------------------------------
### The Last of Us
2See it at MaxThe Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Standalone Max subscriptions start at $9.99 and can be bundled with Hulu and Disney+.
Season 2 Episode Release Dates
The Last of Us Season 2 will feature seven episodes, two fewer than Season 1. New episodes will be released on Max every Sunday at 9pm EST/6pm CST. Here's the full release schedule:
Episode 1: "Future Days" - April 13Episode 2: TBA - April 20Episode 3: TBA - April 27Episode 4: TBA - May 4Episode 5: TBA - May 11Episode 6: TBA - May 18Episode 7: TBA - May 25
Catch Up on the First Season
The entire first season of The Last of Us is available for streaming on Max, with individual episodes available to rent or purchase through Prime Video. HBO also released a limited edition 4K steelbook of Season 1:
### The Last of Us: The Complete First Season (4K UHD)
1Limited-edition collectible steelbook.$50.55 save 19%$40.79 at Amazon
The Last of Us Season 3 Has Already Been Confirmed
Sony and HBO have confirmed that The Last of Us has been renewed for Season 3. While there's no official release date yet, production is set to begin this summer. It's important to note that this does not signal the development of a third Last of Us game; Naughty Dog is currently focused on their next project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Adapting The Last of Us: Part 2
### The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
1See it at PlayStation DirectSee it at SteamThe first season of The Last of Us adapted the entirety of the first game with some creative liberties. Season 2 will delve into the storylines of The Last of Us Part 2, which will be spread across the next two seasons.
From IGN's 10/10 Review of The Last of Us Part 2:
"The Last of Us Part 2 is a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor. Taking strides forward in nearly every way, Ellie steps into the spotlight and carries the sequel in a manner that feels like the culmination of everything that’s made Naughty Dog’s blockbuster storytelling so memorable since the original Uncharted on the PlayStation 3."
Both Naughty Dog games have been remastered, with a new edition of The Last of Us Part 2 arriving on PC just last week. Additionally, a new "Complete" edition of both games has been announced, with a physical release coming this summer. To celebrate the series, Sony also released a special edition DualSense controller.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast and Crew
The Last of Us Season 2 is led by the original game’s creator, Neil Druckmann, and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), both of whom serve as writers alongside Haley Gross, co-writer of The Last of Us Part 2. Each episode will have its own director, including Mark Mylod (Succession, The Menu, Game of Thrones), Peter Hoar (It's a Sin, Daredevil, Doctor Who), and Stephen Williams (Lost).
Here’s the main cast for the new season of The Last of Us:
Pedro Pascal as Joel MillerBella Ramsey as EllieGabriel Luna as TommyRutina Wesley as MariaKaitlyn Dever as AbbyYoung Mazino as JesseIsabela Merced as DinaDanny Ramirez as MannyAriela Barer as MelTati Gabrielle as NoraSpencer Lord as OwenCatherine O'Hara as GailJeffrey Wright as Isaac DixonJoe Pantoliano as EugeneAlanna Ubach as HanrahanBen Ahlers as BurtonHettienne Park as Elise ParkRobert John Burke as SethNoah Lamanna as Kat
Some of these names might be unfamiliar as several new characters are introduced in the new season. For more details, check out our full breakdown of new and returning characters.
