The wait is over for fans of The Last of Us season 2. HBO has released the first teaser for the much-anticipated Season 2 of the hit series. Narrated by Catherine O’Hara, who joins the cast as a guest star, the teaser gives a taste of the emotional intensity and suspense that viewers can expect.
O’Hara’s character has been kept under wraps, but the teaser suggests she plays a therapist helping Joel confront the trauma of the first season. “You can’t heal something unless you’re brave enough to say it out loud,” her character says. “Say the thing that you’re afraid to say. Say it out loud, no matter what it is. No matter how bad. What did you do?” If this is the case, her role would be a departure from the original video game, introducing a new character to the story.
While the teaser doesn’t reveal much about the plot, it does offer glimpses of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and Isabela Merced as Dina, alongside some familiar scenes from the video game. The teaser was released to mark “Outbreak Day,” the in-universe date when the cordyceps virus outbreak set off the events of the first season. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the franchise’s September 26 celebration.
Season 2 takes place five years after the events of Season 1, with Joel and Ellie struggling as their past decisions begin to catch up with them. Their relationship is tested as they face even greater dangers in a world that has grown more volatile and unpredictable.
Although there is no official release date yet, Season 2 is expected to premiere in the first half of 2025. The upcoming season will be shorter than the first, with just seven episodes, though one episode will reportedly be significantly longer.
Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie) will return, along with Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria. New cast members include Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac.
The Last of Us is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, alongside Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells. The series is a co-production between HBO, Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog.