from HBO The Last of Us could return sooner than audiences expect.
Speaking to Deadline after the Emmy Awards, HBO and Max Content chairman and CEO Casey Bloys offered some insight into when the Emmy-winning video game adaptation is expected to launch its next season. While coy about an exact release date, he did say that it The White Lotus will be premiered around “generally first half of the year [2025]I expect them to be in the Emmy window.” Bloys also offered encouraging words about the quality of the show, stating: “I saw The Last of Us. I think everyone will like this [co-creator] Craig [Mazin] is doing. White Lotus I haven't seen anything yet, but I've been visiting. Obviously, I've seen the dailies and read the scripts, so I have high hopes for both.”
A video about upcoming HBO shows has given fans a sneak peek The Last of Us Season 2, based on the acclaimed, yet divisive sequel to Naughty Dog's 2020 game The Last of Us – Part IIThe footage shows Joel (Pedro Pascal) conversing with a character played by Catherine O'Hara about his decision to save Ellie (Bella Ramsey), all while showcasing familiar locations and characters from the game like Kathryn Dever's Abby, Isabela Merced's Dina, and Jeffrey Wright's Isaac.
Jeffrey Wright reprises his role from the video game
Similar to season 1, which saw Merle Dandridge reprise her role from the 2013 game as Marlene, Wright will physically play the ruthless leader of the Washington Liberation Front that controls a post-apocalyptic Seattle, with other clips hinting at the game's WLF/Seraphites conflict. It's unclear if other The Last of Us – Part II The game's actors will appear in a live-action series, although Abby actress Laura Bailey made a cameo in the season one finale as a Firefly nurse.
Despite winning Game of the Year, The Last of Us – Part IIThe release of was plagued by online controversy over the game's story choices, with plot details infamously leaked and Bailey receiving death threats for her portrayal of Abby Anderson. In a recent interview, Merced revealed how this backlash affected Dever during the filming of season two, noting, “There are people who really hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder, she is not a real person. And so Kaitlyn had to be extra protected by security when it came to filming that.”
Merced recently starred in the new Alien movie Alien: Romuluswith director Fede Alvarez admitting a key role The Last of Us – Part II the subplot involving Dina influenced the role he wrote for Merced before she joined his film and The Last of Us series.
While Hulu Shogun and HBO Tricks took home this year's Emmys for Outstanding Drama and Outstanding Comedy, another video game adaptation — Prime Video Fall — was in consideration for the Drama category. Additionally, Netflix's League of Legends adaptation Arcane will release the second season in November.
The Last of Us The first season is available for streaming on Max, while the second season will debut in 2025.
Source: Deadline