What to expect from 'The Last of Us' Season 2
What's the story
The critically acclaimed HBO Max series, The Last of Us, is ready for its second season, which will release on April 13.
The first season, which premiered on January 15, 2023, has been a major hit for the streaming platform.
Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal will return as Ellie and Joel in the upcoming season.
The new season will be adapted from Naughty Dog's famed video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
Here's everything you need to know.
Production update
Production and filming details for Season 2
Filming for the second season commenced on February 12, 2024, in Canada. A bulk of the series was filmed in Vancouver, mirroring the Pacific Northwest backdrop of the video game.
The series is produced by HBO and Sony Pictures Television.
The story revolves around Joel and Ellie, who are employed to smuggle Ellie out of a tyrannical quarantine zone.
Their journey becomes a brutal, heartbreaking ordeal as they traverse through the US and depend on each other to survive.
Casting news
New characters and cast additions for Season 2
Kaitlyn Dever will play Abby, a formidable soldier on the hunt for revenge for her loved ones.
Young Mazino has been cast as Jesse, a pillar of the community who prioritizes others' needs over his own.
Isabela Merced will be Dina, Ellie's new love interest and Jesse's ex, while Catherine O'Hara has been cast in a secret guest role.
Jeffrey Wright will reprise his voice role as Isaac from the video game.
The upcoming season will have seven episodes.
Character return
Will Bill and Frank return in the new season?
Executive Producer Craig Mazin confirmed that the beloved characters Bill and Frank, who gained popularity early on in the first season, will not be returning for the second season.
Nick Offerman, who played Bill, jokingly proposed that there could be more material focused on Bill and Frank, but later clarified that it was just a joke.
Regardless, he said he'd be open to returning to his role if future opportunities arise.
Production team
Directors and producers for 'The Last of Us' Season 2
Along with Mazin and Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann (both writers and executive producers), new directors of the second season include Mark Mylod, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Stephen Williams, and Kate Herron.
The series is produced by PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog. Other executive producers are Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O'Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells.
The show is expected to return for another season.