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HBO is starting off 2023 on a high note with its new drama “The Last of Us.” The hit video game adaptation, which stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, became the second-most-watched premiere on HBO in more than 10 years. It’s now also officially getting a second season. Learn more about the season renewal (and how you can get cast on the show!), below.
HBO’s “The Last of Us” Is Getting a Second Season
The adventure is only just beginning for Joel and Ellie in HBO’s “The Last of Us.” Ahead of its third episode, the streamer renewed the zombie survival drama series for a second season.
Based on the video game franchise of the same name, “The Last of Us” stars HBO alums Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey (“Game of Thrones”). The series is co-created by Craig Mazin (“Chernobyl”) and Neil Druckmann, who is also the writer and creative director of the game.
The first season debuted on Jan. 15 and, per the series’ logline, is set “20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed [where] Joel (Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.”
What Is the Plot for “The Last of Us” Season 2?
Viewers have been left in the dark as to how much of the first game or game franchise the first season will cover, but otherwise, a Season 2 renewal was inevitable. Between its first and second episodes, the series saw a 22% jump in viewership from 4.7 to 5.7 million, the largest second-week audience growth for any HBO drama series in its history. According to the premium cabler, the premiere episode has now reached over 22 million viewers.
As for Season 2 plotlines, ahead of the show’s release, Mazin revealed that he already knows what the next installment would entail. The 2013 Naughty Dog game has a “Part II” follow-up, which was released in 2020. Thus, Season 2 will most likely be based on the game’s sequel.
With Pascal and Ramsey, Season 1 of “The Last of Us” stars Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, and Elaine Miles. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, who voiced Joel and Ellie in the video game, also make on-camera appearances during the first season.
Where can you find “The Last of Us” casting calls?
Casting vet Victoria Thomas is the casting director, and back in February 2022, the series issued a casting notice with us. Production was looking for young Black male talent to play the role of Sam. Talent had to be deaf and proficient in ASL or BASL. Filming took place in Calgary. (Keivonn Woodard ultimately landed the part.)
While Season 2 of “The Last of Us” isn’t casting just yet, we have a feeling when production begins, we will see some notices trickle in. Therefore, for those hoping to land a role on the hit show, be sure to bookmark this HBO casting roundup. Or, you can always browse these listings that remind us of “The Last of Us.”
Looking to get cast? Apply to casting calls on Backstage.