The excitement for the second season of *The Last of Us* is palpable, with its presence felt 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 in just three days, according to Warner Brothers Discovery. This marks a historic achievement for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous show promos by an impressive 160%.

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

— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025

The show's popularity continues to soar as both new and returning fans eagerly anticipate the next installment. Season 1 episodes are now averaging approximately 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers that the finale attracted in March 2023, as reported by Deadline. This surge in viewership not only showcases the show's massive appeal but also highlights its status as one of HBO's most successful series in recent years.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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Season 2 will introduce a five-year time jump, deepening the narrative as Joel and Ellie navigate a world that's more perilous than ever. The returning cast, including Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley, will be joined by new talents such as Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin announced the return of spores, which were absent in Season 1. The trailer hints at this with a scene featuring Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, observing an infected releasing spores through its breath. Druckmann elaborated on the increased presence and variety of infected, noting, "Season 1 introduced tendrils, a new element not seen in the game, and now, as you see in the trailer, there are things in the air." Mazin confirmed the spores' return, and Druckmann emphasized the dramatic necessity for their reintroduction at this point in the story.

*The Last of Us* Season 2 is set to premiere on April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max, promising fans an even more thrilling and intense continuation of this beloved series.