Okay "Last Of Us" fans get ready because Season 2 is officially on the horizon and from what the cast and creators are saying it's going to be an emotional rollercoaster. Pedro Pascal is back as our favorite gruff dad-figure Joel and he's hinting at a season that really messed with his head in the best (and maybe worst?) way. Let's dive into what we know so far about the new season and why it might just be even more gripping than the first .
Pedro Pascal Admits 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 Put Him in an "Unhealthy Mindset": Find Out Why
Pedro Pascal has been doing the press rounds for Season 2 and he's not holding back about how intense filming was. He even confessed that working on this season led him to an "unhealthy mindset". Woah that sounds heavy right? Turns out Pascal really gets into his character Joel and this season especially blurred the lines between fiction and reality for him.
Pascal explained that he deeply relates to Joel's protectiveness of Ellie played by the awesome Bella Ramsey. Remember at the end of season one Joel made a huge controversial choice to save Ellie even if it meant potentially sacrificing a cure for the entire world? Season 2 picks up five years later and the bond between Joel and Ellie is well complicated. Pascal said it was hard for him to "separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel."
It seems like the emotional weight of Joel's journey in Season 2 really got to Pascal. He's grateful to be back but he also admitted jokingly "I suppose I was in an unhealthy mindset." Knowing "The Last Of Us" and how faithful it tends to be to the games especially Part II which this season is based on we can guess things are going to get seriously dark and emotional. Get your tissues ready folks.
Estranged and Emotional: Joel and Ellie's Relationship Takes a Painful Turn in Season 2
Speaking of Joel and Ellie's relationship Pascal and Bella Ramsey both hinted at a major rift between the characters when Season 2 kicks off. Ramsey mentioned that "a lot has changed" in those five years between seasons. Ellie is now 19 years old (from 14 in season 1) and those are huge formative years. There are "deeper reasons for their little rift" Ramsey teased hinting at some serious conflict.
Pascal echoed this saying the first scenes he filmed for Season 2 were with Ramsey in an "intimate setting" but there was an "incredibly painful distance between the two of them". Despite the on-screen tension both actors found comfort in being back on set together. Pascal described it as "coming home" even though the scenes themselves were emotionally heavy. Ramsey joked that while filming the estranged scenes "it wasn't a nice feeling" but "in real life we still kind of like each other just about." It sounds like the actors are navigating the complex emotional landscape of Season 2 right alongside their characters.
New Faces Join the Apocalypse: Kaitlyn Dever and More Add to 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 Cast
Season 2 is bringing in some fresh talent to the already stellar cast. Kaitlyn Dever known for "Booksmart" and "Dopesick" is joining as Abby a character who is hugely important in "The Last Of Us Part II" game. Dever said joining the show felt "surreal" especially since she was linked to a movie adaptation of the game way back when. She's a big fan of the show and the games so it felt like "things that are meant to be in your life will happen if they're supposed to."
Dever admitted to feeling "nervous and anxious but also very excited" about taking on such a big role in an already established hit show. But she praised the "wonderful group of people" and how "cared for" she felt on set thanks to creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. Mazin in turn raved about Dever's performance saying she "did things that I'm not sure she should have done and I don't know how she did them!" He highlighted her "physically tremendous performance" and how committed she was to the role.
Isabela Merced from "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" and Young Mazino from "Beef" are also new additions to the cast. Merced described feeling like "the new kid at school" but praised the welcoming environment on set. Mazino who is taking on the role of Jesse felt "incredibly fortunate" and was struck by the "sheer scale of the town" they built for Season 2.
Catharsis and Conflict: 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 Themes Reflect Our Real World
Pascal and Gabriel Luna who plays Joel's brother Tommy also spoke about the deeper themes of "The Last Of Us" and how they resonate with our current world. Pascal pointed out that "storytelling is cathartic" and allows us to explore "human relationships under crisis and in pain". He sees the show as drawing "a political allegory societal allegory and base it off of the world that we're living in."
Luna added that Season 1 focused on a pandemic which people could relate to after recent real-world events. Season 2 he said is more about "conflicts" and "where do they start and who started it?". He feels this theme is also very relevant right now as "all over the world we're dealing with these conflicts." Both actors suggest "The Last Of Us" while being a fictional post-apocalyptic story also holds a mirror to our own world and the challenges we face.
Mark Your Calendars: 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 Release Date and Streaming Details
Okay time for the important stuff when can we actually watch "The Last Of Us" Season 2? Get ready to clear your schedules because the premiere date is set for Sunday April 13 2025 on HBO. And yes for all you streamers out there it will also be available to stream on Max. Season 2 will consist of seven episodes so buckle up for a seven-week emotional journey through the post-apocalyptic world of "The Last Of Us". It sounds like it is going to be a season you won't want to miss!
Key Things to Know About 'The Last Of Us' Season 2:
- Release Date: Premieres Sunday April 13 2025 on HBO and Max.
- Streaming: Available to stream on Max.
- Episodes: Season 2 will have seven episodes.
- Time Jump: Story picks up five years after Season 1.
- Estranged Joel & Ellie: Expect a painful distance and rift between Joel and Ellie's relationship.
- New Characters: Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Isabela Merced and Young Mazino join the cast.
- Intense Themes: Season 2 will explore themes of conflict catharsis and societal allegory.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Pedro Pascal describes filming as emotionally challenging and leading to an "unhealthy mindset".