The anticipation for The Last of Us Season 2 is palpable, even before its premiere. The recently released Season 2 trailer, unveiled at SXSW, has already amassed over 158 million views across platforms in just three days—a record for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous promotional materials by at least 160%, according to Warner Brothers Discovery.
This surge in viewership reflects the show's growing popularity. While Season 1 episodes average around 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale (per Deadline), the trailer's phenomenal numbers highlight the series' immense reach and the fervent anticipation for its return. This success solidifies The Last of Us as one of HBO's most successful shows in recent years.
The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters
Season 2 leaps forward five years, depicting Joel and Ellie facing new conflicts and a more perilous world. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley are joined by newcomers Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.
At the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed the return of spores, a key element absent from Season 1. The trailer hints at their reintroduction, showcasing Ellie encountering an infected whose breath releases spores.
Druckmann explained the escalation of infected numbers and types, along with the spread vector: "Season 1, we had this new thing that wasn’t in the game of these tendrils that spread, and that was one form. And then one shot you see in this trailer, there are things in the air." Mazin confirmed the spores' return, with Druckmann adding that their reintroduction is driven by dramatic necessity.
The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.
