The Last of Us season 2 will be released in the ‘first half’ of 2025, and I’m happy to wait if it arrives on one particularly perfect date
We’ll be reunited with Joel and Ellie before June 30, 2025, apparently
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The Last of Usseason 2is expected to release in the “first half” of next year, according to HBO chief Casey Bloys.
Speaking toDeadlineafter the 2024 Primetime Emmys award ceremony, Bloys implied that the hugely popular dystopian drama series would return to our screens before June 30, 2025. Asked whenThe Last of Us' sophomore season would arrive on HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) streaming platformMax, Bloys said: “Well, all I’ll say now, generally first half of the year, I expect them [The Last of Usseason 2 and recent Emmy winnerHacks] to be in the Emmy window [for 2025].”
Bloys' comment won’t come as a complete shock to anyone who’s followed season 2’s development.The Last of Us' next chapter has been in the works since it was renewed in early 2023 and, with filming starting in January 2024 before wrapping in late August, its post-production phase – save for the odd reshoot or two – is well underway. HBO all but confirmed that one of thebest Max showswould return sometime next year in athrilling new Max trailer that contained snippets of footage fromThe Last of Usseason 2, too, but it’s nonetheless pleasing to hear that it’ll be here sooner rather than later.
A perfect day for a zombie outbreak
Happy though I am thatThe Last of Usseason 2’s release window has been shortened to the first six months of 2025, it’s still difficult to determine when the next installment will debut on Max and HBO (US), Sky and Now TV (UK), and Binge (Australia). Even if its post-production phase is a lengthy one, it’s only likely to rule out a January or February 2025 return for the Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey-starring show.
But there is one particular date – one set between January 1 and June 30 – that would be a perfect release date forThe Last of Us' second season. And no, I’m not taking about Outbreak Day that, for anyone unfamiliar with Naughty Dog’sThe Last of Usgame series, which the HBO show is based on, occurred on September 26. Instead, I’m talking about June 19.
Why is that date so special? Because it’s whenThe Last of Us Part 2was originally released on the PlayStation 4. Indeed, Naughty Dog’s highly anticipated videogame sequel launched on June 19, 2020, so it would be especially fitting if season 2 ofThe Last of UsTV show, which will authentically adapt huge swathes of the aforementioned game’s story, arrived on that date.
The only problem with my theory is that June 19, 2025 falls on a Thursday. Traditionally, HBO releases new shows, or brand-new seasons of a series, on a Sunday evening, which throws a spanner in the works of what I’m proposing. But, with the US cable network opting to release the first episode ofThe Penguin, the first TV spin-off of 2022’sThe Batman, debuting on Max and HBO this Thursday (September 19), WBD has started to show a willingness to experiment with its usual release schedule format. Don’t bet againstThe Last of Usseason 2 doing likewise, then, if HBO and WBD allow it to premiere on the five-year anniversary of the game franchise’s second entry.
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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
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