THE LAST OF US Series Will Most Likely End After Four Seasons
HBO’s The Last of Us is set to return with its highly anticipated second season this April, more than two years after its debut. And while fans are eager to see how the story continues to unfold, it sounds like there’s already an endgame being planned.
According to HBO’s Head of Drama Francesca Orsi, the series is shaping up to run for four seasons, though nothing is set in stone just yet.
Speaking about the show’s future, Orsi told Deadline: “We don’t have a complete or final plan, but I think it’s looking like four seasons. I wouldn’t want to confirm that, but it’s looking like this season and then two more seasons after this and we’re done.”
This lines up with what co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann said last year. They made it clear that bringing the full story to screen would take at least three or four seasons. And now, it seems like four is the number.
As the series continues it introduces a much bigger world, expanding the narrative beyond Joel and Ellie’s journey. With new characters, multiple factions, and shifting perspectives, there’s a lot of ground to cover.
Orsi hinted at some of these new elements, teasing: “There’s certain elements in terms of the various factions that are competing for survival that reveal themselves as a really intriguing survivalist group, and I think they just have a quality to them that feels distinct in how they present it.
“There’s a certain way [the show] is presenting them in wardrobe and makeup that feels really different than the average person.”
Given the complexity of the story it makes sense that the showrunners are looking to take their time to flesh out every major moment and the characters.
Season 2 will only have seven episodes, but it’s clear that Mazin and Druckmann have a structured roadmap for where things are headed.
The series chronicles the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they navigate a world overrun with zombies infected with a parasitic fungus — not to mention the ruthless vigilantes, mercenaries and cannibals just as desperate to survive.
In Season 2: “After five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie’s collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.”
The series also stars Gabriel Luna and Rutina Wesley. New cast members for Season 2 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, and Danny Ramirez as Manny.
Catherine O’Hara also guest stars in a secret role, and Jeffrey Wright joined the cast taking on the role of Isaac.
The Last of Us returns in 2025.