The Last of Us Season 2 is coming in hot, and the cast and creators just lit up SXSW with exclusive insights and a brand-new trailer. With only five weeks until it premieres on MAX, Pedro Pascal (Joel), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), Young Mazino (Jesse), and showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin teased what’s ahead. And it sounds like it’s going to be an emotional roller coaster with a a Darker, Heavier Story.
Season 2 jumps five years forward, and Joel and Ellie’s relationship is on shaky ground. “They’re not best of friends, which is quite sad,” Ramsey revealed. A key moment in the trailer shows Ellie throwing Joel’s words back at him—“You swore.” Pascal called it “heartbreaking.” Get ready for some serious emotional punches.
Druckmann and Mazin promise a deeper dive into tribalism and morality. “We explore what happens when you lose humanity in another group,” Druckmann …
The WLF and the Seraphites step into the spotlight, blurring the lines between good and evil. New cast additions include Catherine O’Hara as Joel’s therapist, Jeffrey Wright reprising his role as WLF leader Isaac, and Joey Pantoliano as Eugene. Pascal was thrilled about O’Hara’s dramatic weight on the show, while Mazin teased how these new characters will shake things up.
Luna revealed Tommy’s new role as a father, while Dever teased Abby’s intense journey. Fans of the game know Abby’s story is layered, and Dever is ready to deliver. Meanwhile, expect more infected, new spore-based threats, and higher stakes. Druckmann described it as “a wild ride.” Some scenes were even filmed in -20°C conditions making it a challenge on both the cast and crew.
The cast and creators shared their gratitude for the fans and their excitement for what’s ahead. With deeper emotional arcs, brutal stakes, and fearless storytelling, Season 2 promises to be unforgettable. Get ready—The Last of Us returns this April, and you are NOT prepared!