"The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer Shatters HBO Records Prematurely"

The excitement for the second season of *The Last of Us* is palpable, even though its release is still on the horizon. The buzz around the show has intensified following the release of the Season 2 trailer during a SXSW panel. According to Warner Brothers Discovery, the trailer has amassed an astonishing 158 million views across various platforms in just three days. This not only sets a new record for HBO and Max original programming but also surpasses previous promotional content for the show by 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 for Season 2 is evident as the show continues to gain momentum. Season 1 episodes have been averaging around 32 million viewers across platforms domestically, marking a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers that the Season 1 finale attracted in March 2023, as reported by Deadline. This surge in viewership indicates that fans, both new and returning, are eagerly anticipating the continuation of Joel and Ellie's journey, often revisiting the first season in preparation. The impressive figures underscore *The Last of Us*' status as one of HBO's most successful series in recent times, reflecting the deep connection and anticipation fans have for the show.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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Season 2 of The Last of Us will feature a five-year time jump, delving deeper into the evolving dynamics between Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world that's become even more treacherous. Returning stars include Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley, with new additions such as Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright enhancing the ensemble cast.

During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin made significant announcements, including the return of spores in the series. The trailer hints at this with a scene showing Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected whose breath releases the spores. Druckmann emphasized the escalation in the number and variety of infected, as well as the introduction of new transmission methods. He noted, "Season 1 introduced tendrils as a new element, and now, as seen in the trailer, we're bringing in airborne threats."

Mazin confirmed the spores' return, and Druckmann elaborated on their dramatic purpose in the narrative: "We really wanted to figure it out, and everything has to serve the drama. There had to be a compelling reason to introduce it now, and there is."

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