The anticipation for the second season of *The Last of Us* is palpable, and it's making waves even before its release. The latest trailer for Season 2, unveiled during a SXSW panel, has shattered records by amassing over 158 million views across various platforms within just three days, as reported by Warner Brothers Discovery. This marks a historic milestone for HBO and Max original programming, with the trailer surpassing previous promotional efforts by an impressive "at least 160%."

You can’t stop this.
#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV

— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025

The fervor surrounding the show continues to grow as both new and veteran fans eagerly await Season 2. The episodes from Season 1 are averaging about 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers the finale garnered in March 2023, as reported by Deadline. This surge in viewership numbers underscores the immense popularity and impact of the series, cementing its status as one of HBO's most successful shows in recent years.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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Season 2 will introduce a five-year time jump, following Joel and Ellie as they navigate an even more perilous and unpredictable world, with their relationship facing new challenges. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined by new cast members including Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin revealed exciting updates about the upcoming season. Notably, "spores are back" after being omitted from Season 1. The trailer hints at this change, showing Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected whose breath releases spores.

Druckmann elaborated on the evolution of the infected, stating, "There is an escalation of numbers and types of infected, but also, as you see in the trailer, an escalation of the vector of how this thing spreads." He noted the introduction of new forms of infection, such as the tendrils seen in Season 1, and now, airborne spores teased in the trailer. Mazin confirmed the return of spores, with Druckmann adding that their inclusion was driven by dramatic necessity, saying, "There had to be a dramatic reason for introducing it now. And there is."

Mark your calendars: Season 2 of *The Last of Us* premieres on April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.