The Last of Us (TV series)

The Last of Us is an American post-apocalyptic drama television series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO. Based on the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog, the series is set decades after the collapse of society caused by a mass fungal infection that transforms its hosts into zombie-like creatures. The first season, based on 2013's The Last of Us, follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they travel across the United States. In the second season, based on the first half of 2020's The Last of Us Part II, they have settled in Jackson, Wyoming, with Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Ellie's friends Dina (Isabela Merced) and Jesse (Young Mazino). The group travels to Seattle to track down Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), who is set to be the focus of the third season. The series follows several characters. The first season sought high-profile guest stars, such as Anna Torv as Joel's partner Tess, Merle Dandridge and Melanie Lynskey as resistance leaders Marlene and Kathleen, Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as survivalists Bill and Frank, Rutina Wesley as Tommy's wife Maria, and Storm Reid as Ellie's best friend Riley. Wesley returned in the second season, which introduces Jeffrey Wright as militia leader Isaac, and Spencer Lord, Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, and Danny Ramirez as Abby's friends Owen, Nora, Mel, and Manny, respectively. The third season is set to introduce Michelle Mao and Kyriana Kratter as Yara and Lev, members of the Seraphites, a Seattle-based religious group. The first season was filmed in Alberta from July 2021 to June 2022, while the second was filmed in British Columbia from February to August 2024; the third is filming in British Columbia from March to November 2026. One of the most expensive television series, it is a joint production by Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, the Mighty Mint, and Word Games. Druckmann, who wrote and co-directed the games, assisted Mazin with scriptwriting for the first season's nine episodes; they were joined by Halley Gross, who co-wrote Part II, for the second season's seven. The score was composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, who composed for the games, and David Fleming. The Last of Us premiered on January 15, 2023. Across linear channels and HBO Max, the series premiere was watched by almost 40 million viewers within two months; the series averaged almost 32 million viewers per episode by May, and it became HBO's most watched debut season. The second season premiered on April 13, 2025, and averaged almost 37 million viewers within two months. A third season is expected to air in 2027. The series received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, production design, direction, and score; several critics called it the best adaptation of a video game. It won several accolades, including nine Primetime Emmy Awards.