The first season of The Last of Us made its debut in 2023, delivering a remarkable adaptation of the Naughty Dog video game bearing the same name.
Set two decades into a pandemic triggered by a widespread fungal infection that turns people into zombies, the critically acclaimed series depicts a collapsed civilisation with individuals striving to find a cure for the Cordyceps infection, reports the Mirror US.
At the heart of the story is smuggler Joel Miller (portrayed by Pedro Pascal), tasked with escorting teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) out of the quarantine zone and across America.
The Last of Us was met with immense success and swiftly renewed for a second season - here's everything you need to know about the upcoming series.
The second season of The Last of Us is set to premiere on Sunday, April 13, 2025, on HBO in America and on April 14 on Sky and streaming platform NOW.
The latest series will comprise seven episodes, drawing material from The Last of Us Part II.
Interestingly, the second season is shorter than the first by two episodes, which had nine instalments.
The show will be simulcast on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK and HBO in the USA.
Here's the complete episode release schedule:
Game of Thrones and The Mandalorian star Pascal will return to his role as the gruff Joel.
Non-binary actor and fellow Game of Thrones alum Ramsey will reprise their role as Ellie.
Gabriel Luna is set to reprise his role as Joel's brother Tommy, following his appearances in FUBAR, Agents of S.H.I. E.L. D. and Terminator: Dark Fate.
The cast will be bolstered by some fresh faces this year, including Schitt's Creek and Beetlejuice star Catherine O'Hara, who will portray therapist Gail.
Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Apple Cider Vinegar, Booksmart and Unbelievable, will take on the character Abby.
Netflix's Beef star Young Mazino has been cast as Jesse.
Isabela Merced, recognised from 100 Things to Do Before High School, Madame Webb, Instant Family, and Transformers: The Last Knight, will play Dina.
Other notable cast members include On My Block's Danny Ramirez as Manny, Ariela Barer from Marvel's Runaways as Mel, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Heartland's Spencer Lord reprising his role as Owen, Westworld and The Hunger Games' Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Dixon, and Hollywood legend Joe Pantoliano from The Sopranos as Eugene, who is married to counsellor Gail.
Additional casting includes Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan, Ben Ahlers as Burton, Robert John Burke as Seth, Noah Lamanna as Kat, Ellie's ex-partner, and Hettienne Park as Elise Park, a new character created specifically for the show.
Season two is also expected to feature guest stars, similar to the first season which saw Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett delivering memorable performances.
The highly-anticipated second season of the hit series The Last of Us is based on the popular video game The Last of Us Part II, which boasts a narrative twice as long as its forerunner.
Picking up five years after the events of the season one finale, the new series will explore a noticeable rift between Joel and Ellie, whose relationship has evolved over time.
As they navigate this new dynamic, they will be forced to confront an increasingly perilous world, where a cure for the deadly infection remains elusive.
Fortunately for fans, HBO has already confirmed that the show will be returning for a third season, prior to the season two premiere.
While it remains uncertain whether this will be the final chapter, the show's creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, have previously expressed their vision for The Last of Us as a four-season narrative arc.
The news of the renewal will undoubtedly alleviate concerns among viewers who were worried that the seven-episode second season would not do justice to the original story and the game.
HBO executive Francesca Orsi shared her enthusiasm, stating: "It can't be overemphasised how proud HBO is for the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of The Last of Us is.
"Craig, Neil, [executive producer] Carolyn [Strauss] and the entire executive producer team, cast and crew have delivered a masterful follow-up and we're thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil's storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season."
The Last of Us season 2 premieres on HBO in the USA on Sunday, April 13 and on Sky and NOW in the UK on Monday, April 14
