"Spores Return in The Last of Us Season 2 for Dramatic Reason, Says Neil Druckmann"

The Last of Us Season 2 showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have exciting news for fans: "spores are back" after their notable absence in Season 1. This thrilling development was teased in the latest trailer for the upcoming HBO series, which you can view below. In the trailer, we see Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected whose breath ominously releases spores, signaling a return to a key element from the original game.

You can’t stop this.#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV

— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025

Warning! Spoilers for The Last of Us Season 1 follow.

The reintroduction of spores adds a layer of tension and authenticity to the show, aligning it more closely with the atmospheric horror of the video game. This change is sure to delight fans who missed this iconic feature in the first season.