HBO‘s video game-based horror series The Last of Us made a significant impact with its highly successful first season. However, fans eagerly awaiting the return of Ellie and Joel will have to exercise patience as Season 2 is not expected to premiere before 2025. The delay is primarily due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which has thrown the production schedule into uncertainty. Francesca Orsi, an executive at HBO, shed some light on the situation during an interview with Deadline, emphasizing the influence the strike has on the series’ timeline.
According to Orsi, HBO had initially targeted “some time in 2025” for the release of The Last of Us Season 2. However, this projection is contingent on the resolution of the WGA strike in the coming months. The strike revolves around the writers’ fight for fair compensation from studios and streaming platforms. Orsi acknowledged the current state of flux caused by the strike, highlighting the impact on other shows as well, including the potential 2024 release of The White Lotus.
While the strike persists, progress on The Last of Us Season 2 remains halted. Orsi expressed hope for a speedy resolution, as further delays could impact the delivery of shows for the 2024 schedule and beyond. The strike’s duration, expected to last six to nine months, raises significant questions about the readiness of the shows HBO planned to air. Despite these challenges, Orsi remains optimistic and believes decisions regarding the release schedule will be made as necessary.
Regarding specific details about Season 2, Orsi indicated that showrunner Craig Mazin is currently unable to initiate any significant actions related to writing or casting due to the strike. However, Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the creator of the video game, have a clear vision for the show. As part of the creative process, the production will relocate from Calgary to Vancouver. Orsi emphasized that Mazin is taking a bold approach, aiming to deliver thrilling entertainment centered around the Clickers while also exploring the nuanced and complex character dynamics of Joel, Ellie, and other key characters.
Season 2 of The Last of Us is expected to adapt the second video game in the series. Fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of the story will have to stay tuned for further updates and announcements.
In the world of The Last of Us, the narrative unfolds twenty years after the collapse of modern civilization. In the series, we follow Joel, a tough survivor hired to rescue Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, from a quarantine zone. What starts as a small job turns into a challenging and emotional journey as Joel and Ellie travel across dangerous landscapes, depending on one another to stay alive.
The cast of The Last of Us features Pedro Pascal, known for his role in The Mandalorian, portraying Joel, while Bella Ramsey, recognized from Game of Thrones, takes on the role of Ellie. Gabriel Luna, known for Terminator: Dark Fate, plays Tommy, Joel‘s brother. The ensemble cast also includes Storm Reid, Anna Torv, Jeffrey Pierce, Nick Offerman, Merle Dandridge, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, and Con O’Neil, who all starred in the first season of this popular series.
The adaptation of The Last of Us for HBO was developed by Craig Mazin, acclaimed for his work on Chernobyl. Mazin worked closely with Neil Druckmann to bring the beloved video game to life on the small screen, serving as the series’ writer and executive producer.
As fans eagerly await the arrival of The Last of Us Season 2, they can find solace in knowing that despite the delay, the creative team behind the series is committed to delivering an exceptional and immersive storytelling experience.
