HBO renewed”the last of us“For Season 2 can spread faster than a deadly fungus.
The premium cabler has ordered a second season of the series version of the PlayStation video game of the same name after airing just two episodes, with a third set to air this Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.
“I am humbled, honored, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast and crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations,” said executive producer Neil Druckman, who was also the game’s writer and creative director. “Now we’re absolutely delighted to be able to do it again with season two! From Naughty Dog and everyone at PlayStation, thank you!”
The move to renew the series comes as little surprise, as it has been a hit with both critics and audiences. In addition to strong reviews to the tune of a 97% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, episode two reached 5.7 million viewers on HBO and HBO Max in the US this past Sunday. This represents a 22% jump from the 4.7 million who tuned in to the first episode. Biggest week two audience growth for any HBO drama series in the network’s history. Furthermore, HBO now says that the first episode has reached 22 million viewers domestically since its debut on January 15.
“I’m so grateful to Neil Druckman and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey,” said executive producer and showrunner Craig Mazin. “The audience has given us a chance to keep going, and as a fan of the characters and the world Neal and Naughty Dog have created, I can’t be ready to dive back in.”
According to the official logline, the series “takes place 20 years after the destruction of modern civilization. Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. 6. What starts as a small job soon turns into a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both have to move to the United States and depend on each other to survive.
In addition to Pascal and Ramsay, season 1 also stars Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torve as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reed as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Merlene does , Jeffrey Pearce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Kevan Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.
Mazin and Druckmann co-created the series version of “The Last of Us”, with both serving as executive producers. Carolyn Strauss and Evan Wells, presidents of game development studio Naughty Dog, executive produced with Asad Kizilbash and Carter Swan of PlayStation Productions, as well as Rose Lam. The series is a co-production between HBO and Sony Pictures Television. PlayStation Productions, Word Game, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog Productions.
“Craig and Neal, along with EP Carolyn Strauss, and the rest of our phenomenal cast and crew, have defined a genre with their outstanding debut season of ‘The Last of Us,'” said Francesca Orsi, executive vice president and head of programming, HBO. HBO drama series and movies. “After pulling off this memorable first season, I can’t wait to see this team surpass itself in season two.”
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