The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer Breaks HBO Records Nearly a Month Before It Begins

The anticipation for The Last of Us Season 2 is palpable, even before its premiere. The recently released trailer, unveiled at SXSW, has already amassed over 158 million views across platforms in just three days—a record for HBO and Max original programming, exceeding previous promotional views by at least 160%, according to Warner Brothers Discovery. This staggering viewership underscores the show's explosive growth in popularity. While Season 1 episodes average around 32 million domestic viewers across platforms, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale (per Deadline), this trailer's performance highlights the immense excitement surrounding the upcoming season. The show's success is undeniable, solidifying its place as one of HBO's most successful series in recent years.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

Season 2 will feature a five-year time jump, depicting Joel and Ellie navigating a world even more perilous than before, and facing conflict with each other. Returning stars include Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley, joined by newcomers Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

At the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed the return of spores, a key element omitted from Season 1. The trailer hints at their reintroduction, showcasing Ellie witnessing an infected releasing spores. Druckmann highlighted an "escalation of numbers and types of infected," and a change in the infection's spread, explaining that while Season 1 introduced tendrils, Season 2 will feature airborne elements. Mazin explicitly confirmed the spores' return, with Druckmann emphasizing the dramatic narrative reasons behind their inclusion this season.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.