HBO has unveiled an intriguing new trailer and character posters for The Last of Us season 2, aligning with the annual celebration of ‘Outbreak Day’ — the date marking the catastrophic viral outbreak in the narrative of the Naughty Dog video game series. This first major glimpse into the new season arrives five years following the events of season 1, showcasing the evolving struggles of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a widening emotional distance compounded by the relentless threats of their post-apocalyptic world.
The trailer not only teases more intense encounters with clickers (more than ever seen in the series) but also introduces fresh faces and hints at significant plot developments from The Last of Us Part II. Noteworthy additions to the cast include Catherine O’Hara, who appears to counsel Joel, and Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina (Ellie’s new romantic interest) and Young Mazino as Jesse. These characters transition from the game to their live-action debuts, enriching the storyline with deeper interpersonal dynamics and fresh conflicts.
Other new cast members highlighted in the trailer are Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, and Danny Ramirez as Manny, alongside returning actors Gabriel Luna and Rutina Wesley, reprising their roles as Tommy and Maria, respectively. Jeffrey Wright also makes a return, continuing his role as Isaac from the game.
The narrative picks up in Jackson, Wyoming, where Ellie and Joel have found a temporary semblance of peace. This tranquility is short-lived, as new footage shows the community’s safety quickly deteriorating under the threat of infected attacks. The inclusion of a therapist in the storyline serves as a narrative device to explore Joel’s inner conflicts and the consequential lie he told Ellie at the end of season 1, setting a dramatic stage for the events of season 2.
The Last of Us season 2 promises to delve deeper into the emotional and physical challenges faced by the characters, continuing the adaptation of the game’s sequel, The Last of Us Part II. The use of music, notably Pearl Jam’s “Future Days”, plays a significant role in the trailer, echoing the impactful use of soundtracks in the series’ storytelling, particularly highlighted in the episode “A Long, Long Time”.
While the exact release date in 2025 remains unspecified, hints from HBO suggest a premiere early in the year, potentially in January, to meet the Emmy eligibility deadline. As the series progresses, it remains to be seen how closely the show will follow the game’s storyline and how it will handle the significant developments that The Last of Us Part II introduced to the franchise. With the trailer keeping specifics under wraps, anticipation builds for a continuation of Joel and Ellie’s harrowing journey through a ravaged world, and if you’ve played the game, you know what’s coming.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Edwin Teo
