History of The Last of Us season 2 in Timeline

The Last of Us season 2, aired on HBO in April-May 2025, adapts the first half of The Last of Us Part II video game. Set 25 years after a fungal pandemic devastated society, it follows Joel and Ellie five years after the first season's events. They've settled in Jackson, Wyoming, with Tommy, Dina, and Jesse, presumably facing new challenges and storylines from the game's narrative.

1998: Reference to Saving Private Ryan

In a review of The Last of Us season 2, The Times's James Jackson compared an action sequence to the opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan, released in 1998.

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2013: Release of The Last of Us Game

In 2013, Naughty Dog released The Last of Us, the video game that the first season of the television series is based on.

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2014: Release of The Last of Us: Left Behind

In 2014, Naughty Dog released The Last of Us: Left Behind, a downloadable expansion to the original game, which was also covered in the first season of the television series.

2015: Inspiration from Game of Thrones Episode "Hardhome"

Mazin was inspired by the Game of Thrones episode "Hardhome" from 2015 when planning the action sequences for the second season of The Last of Us. He wanted action sequences to demonstrate the desperation and loss that the characters often forget.

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2016: Dever Appeared in Uncharted 4

Kaitlyn Dever, who was cast in The Last of Us Season 2, previously appeared in Naughty Dog's Uncharted 4: A Thief's End in 2016.

2019: Mazin and Smith's Previous Collaboration

Timothy A. Good returned as lead editor for the second season of The Last of Us. Mazin previously worked with editor Simon Smith on Chernobyl in 2019.

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2020: Release of The Last of Us Part II

In 2020, Naughty Dog released The Last of Us Part II, the video game that forms the basis for the second season of the television series.

January 2023: The Last of Us Renewed for Season 2

In January 2023, HBO renewed The Last of Us for a second season after the premiere of the first season. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann were joined in the writers' room by Halley Gross and Bo Shim.

January 27, 2023: HBO Renews The Last of Us for Season 2

On January 27, 2023, HBO officially renewed The Last of Us for a second season, less than two weeks after the first season's premiere. The second season will cover part of the sequel, The Last of Us Part II (2020).

February 2023: Writers' Room Established in Los Angeles

In February 2023, a writers' room for the second season of The Last of Us was established in Los Angeles, with Mazin, Druckmann, Halley Gross, and Bo Shim participating. Gross was also named co-executive producer.

March 2023: Jacqueline Lesko Named Executive Producer

In March 2023, Jacqueline Lesko, who co-executive produced the first season of The Last of Us, was named an executive producer for season two.

April 2023: Scripts Being Written

By April 2023, scripts for the second season of The Last of Us were being written, with a full outline mapped, but writing was impacted by the writers' strike in May.

May 2023: Casting Put on Hold Due to Writers Guild of America Strike

In May 2023, casting for the second season of The Last of Us was put on hold due to the Writers Guild of America strike. Actors auditioned with scenes from The Last of Us Part II due to absence of scripts.

December 2023: Season 2 Premiere Set for 2025

In December 2023, HBO announced that the second season of The Last of Us was set to premiere on its television network and streaming service Max in 2025, specifically during the eligibility window for the following Emmy Awards.

2023: Dever Became Frontrunner After No One Will Save You

After the strike ended in November 2023, Kaitlyn Dever became the frontrunner for a role in The Last of Us after her performance in No One Will Save You (2023).

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January 9, 2024: Kaitlyn Dever Casting Announced

On January 9, 2024, the casting of Kaitlyn Dever in an unspecified role was announced for the second season of The Last of Us.

January 2024: Returning and New Directors Announced

In January 2024, Druckmann, Mazin, and Peter Hoar were announced as returning directors for The Last of Us season two, alongside newcomers Kate Herron, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Mark Mylod, and Stephen Williams.

February 12, 2024: Principal Photography Begins

Principal photography for the second season of The Last of Us began on February 12, 2024, under the working title Mega Sword.

February 2024: Cecil O'Connor Named Executive Producer

In February 2024, Cecil O'Connor, who produced the first season of The Last of Us, was named an executive producer for the second season.

May 15, 2024: First Images of Pascal and Ramsey Shared

On May 15, 2024, HBO shared the first images of Pascal and Ramsey for the second season of The Last of Us.

August 2024: Principal Photography Concludes

Principal photography for the second season of The Last of Us took place in British Columbia from February to August 2024. Druckmann, Mazin, and Peter Hoar returned to direct the seven episodes.

2024: Druckmann Worked on the Story During Development of The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Druckmann worked on the story for the second season of The Last of Us during the development of The Last of Us Part II Remastered in 2024, allowing him to revisit and analyze its decisions and intricacies.

January 6, 2025: Season 2 April Premiere Window Announced

On January 6, 2025, Druckmann announced the April premiere window for the second season of The Last of Us as part of Sony's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) presentation.

March 5, 2025: Casting Announcements

On March 5, 2025, the casting of Ahlers, Burke, Lamanna, Pantoliano, Park, and Ubach was announced for the second season of The Last of Us.

April 9, 2025: The Last of Us Renewed for Third Season

On April 9, 2025, The Last of Us was renewed for a third season by HBO, before the premiere of the second season.

May 2025: The Last of Us Season 2 Broadcast on HBO

The second season of The Last of Us was originally broadcast on HBO during May 2025. The season is based on the first half of the 2020 game, The Last of Us Part II.

May 23, 2025: Soundtrack Album Release

A 41-track soundtrack album for The Last of Us Season 2 was released digitally on May 23, 2025. The score was composed by Gustavo Santaolalla and David Fleming.

September 15, 2025: Season 2 DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray Release in the UK

On September 15, 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment is scheduled to release the second season of The Last of Us on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray (including a SteelBook version) in the United Kingdom. The release will contain behind-the-scenes featurettes, including set tours, a Q&A with Pascal and Ramsey, and the Inside the Episode series.

2025: The Last of Us Season 2 Receives "Universal Acclaim"

In 2025, the second season of The Last of Us received "universal acclaim" according to Metacritic, with a weighted score of 81 out of 100 based on 42 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 253 critics gave a positive review.