HBO's Casey Bloys announced during a press conference on Thursday morning that production for Season 2 of "The Last of Us" is slated to commence in early 2024. Bloys acknowledged that the progress of the show's sophomore season had been hindered by the strikes initiated by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). This delay has resulted in the absence of "The Last of Us" from HBO's 2024 lineup presentation, indicating that its release may be postponed until at least 2025.
The initial season of "The Last of Us" made an explosive debut on HBO in January 2023, instantly garnering widespread acclaim. Adapted from the immensely popular PlayStation video game of the same name, the series narrates the post-apocalyptic journey of Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, a smuggler operating in an America devastated by a lethal fungus. Tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, across the country to develop a cure for the cordyceps fungus, they encounter various survivors, ruthless bandits, and the grotesque "clickers," individuals afflicted by the disease to the point where fungal growths sprout from their bodies.
Prior to the conclusion of Season 1, "The Last of Us" was already renewed for a second season. The original video game, which includes a sequel titled "The Last of Us: Part II," offers source material for the show's creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, who have ambitious plans for adaptation. However, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have put the eagerly anticipated second season on hold.
Druckmann shared with Entertainment Weekly, "We've mapped out the entire second season, and we're ready to kick off production as soon as the strike comes to an end." Additionally, Mazin stated, "I've penned and submitted the script for the inaugural episode, dispatching it to HBO just before the WGA strike commenced around midnight. It's now almost certain that we won't be able to commence filming as originally intended, which is disappointing. We're all eagerly awaiting the green light."
The first season of "The Last of Us" amassed a remarkable 24 Emmy nominations, including recognition in categories such as outstanding drama series, leading actor (Pedro Pascal), and leading actress (Bella Ramsey).
