The second season of The Last of Us opened with 5.3 million viewers across HBO and Max, topping the show’s original premiere two years ago. The figure includes linear viewing, replays, and streaming activity on Max during the debut night.
The Season 2 premiere marked a 13 percent increase over the 4.7 million who watched the series premiere in January 2023. Viewership for the original season continued to build throughout its run, with the finale reaching 8.2 million viewers on its first night. Over a 90-day window, the first season averaged more than 32 million viewers per episode, according to Warner Bros. Discovery and Nielsen data.
HBO reported that interest in the series surged in the lead-up to the new season. Viewership for Season 1 on Max increased by more than 150 percent compared to the previous week.
Sunday’s debut also performed strongly compared to other recent HBO premieres. It more than doubled the opening audience for The White Lotus Season 3, which drew 2.4 million viewers. It also exceeded the four-day total for The Penguin premiere. Among recent HBO debuts, only House of the Dragon Season 2 attracted a larger first-night audience, with 7.8 million viewers in June 2024.
Season 2 adapts The Last of Us Part II, released by Naughty Dog in 2020. The story picks up five years after the events of Season 1, with Joel and Ellie now living in Jackson, Wyoming. The season introduces conflicts that test both characters as well as their surroundings.
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey return in their lead roles, joined again by Gabriel Luna as Joel’s brother Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria. New cast members include Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright, reprising his role from the video game as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara appears as Joel’s therapist, Gail.
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The series was created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who serve as writers and executive producers. Halley Gross, co-writer of the game sequel, joins as co-executive producer and writer for Season 2. Other executive producers include Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells.
Produced by HBO in association with Sony Pictures Television, the show also credits PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog as production partners.
HBO has already ordered a third season. Mazin previously indicated that the story arc from the game’s sequel could extend beyond a single season.
New episodes air Sundays on HBO and stream on Max.
