The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer Breaks HBO Records Nearly a Month Before It Begins

The anticipation for The Last of Us Season 2 is palpable, even before its premiere. The recently released trailer, unveiled at SXSW, has already amassed over 158 million views across platforms in just three days—a record for HBO and Max original programming, exceeding previous promotional views by at least 160%, according to Warner Brothers Discovery. This staggering number underscores the show's burgeoning popularity. Season 1 episodes average around 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase compared to the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale. This surge suggests a considerable rewatch audience building excitement for the next chapter. The show's success is undeniable, solidifying its place as one of HBO's most successful recent series.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

Season 2 leaps forward five years, depicting Joel and Ellie navigating a more dangerous and unpredictable world, forcing them into conflict. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley are joined by newcomers Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

At the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed the return of spores, absent from Season 1. The trailer hints at their reintroduction, showcasing Ellie witnessing an infected releasing spores. Druckmann explained an escalation in the number and types of infected, and a shift in the infection vector. He noted a new tendril-based spread in Season 1, contrasting with the airborne spores shown in the Season 2 trailer. Mazin confirmed the spores' return, with Druckmann emphasizing the dramatic necessity of their introduction at this point in the narrative.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.