A pandemic has radically changed known civilization. Twenty years later, infected humans run wild and survivors are killing each other for food, weapons, or whatever they can get their hands on. Joel, a ruthless survivor, is hired to smuggle a 14 year-old girl, Ellie, out of an oppressive military quarantine zone, but what starts as a simple job soon transforms into a profound journey across the U.S.

Set in a devastated, post-pandemic United States, The Last of Us invites players to feel the tension and action of this visceral world through Joel and Ellie’s evolving relationship as they travel across the country.  The Last of Us will immerse players in an incredibly realistic, lethal, and savage world through its integration of intense characters that foster emotional resonance, a rich storyline, and gorgeous visuals. 

What does it take to survive in the brutal yet beautiful world that is The Last of Us?  This is what players will be faced with at every turn as they embark on an epic journey with Joel and Ellie that will explore the depths of humanity and push them to the limits of human perseverance.

While season two of The Last of Us TV series will air on April 13, 2025, HBO Max revealed a slew of supporting actors that have joined the cast.

• Joe Pantoliano (Bad Boys for Life, The Matrix): Playing Eugene, a small character from video game “The Last of Us Part II” that will be expanded on the show
• Alanna Ubach (Euphoria): playing a character named Hanrahan, original to the series.
• Ben Ahlers (The Gilded Age): playing Burton, original to the series.
• Hettienne Park (Hannibal, Don't Look Up): playing Elise Park, original to the series.
• Robert John Burke (RoboCop 3, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit): Playing Seth, who runs a bar in the Jackson, Wyoming community where Ellie and Joel (Pedro Pascal) live following the events of Season 1. 
• Noah Lamanna (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Beacon 23): Kat, who dated Ellie before the events of “Part II.”

Season 2 of The Last of Us also stars Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, Danny Ramirez, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, Spencer Lord, Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Wright.

Set five years after the first season finale, The Last of Us Season 2 is set to feature themes of revenge, in contrast to the first season's unconditional love; Druckmann felt it was a "continuation of love from the first season, and this is just the dark side of that coin."

While the first season was 9 episodes, The Last of Us Season 2 will span 7 episodes.