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

The buzz around the second season of *The Last of Us* is palpable, 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 within just three days, as reported by Warner Brothers Discovery. This achievement marks a new high for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous promotional efforts for the show 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 anticipation for Season 2 is evident as the show continues to gain momentum. Season 1 episodes are now averaging around 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically, a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale in March 2023, according to Deadline. This surge in viewership underscores the immense popularity and success of the series, positioning it as one of HBO's standout hits in recent years.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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Season 2 will feature a five-year time jump, continuing the journey of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world that's become even more perilous and unpredictable. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined by new cast members Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

During the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin revealed that spores, which were absent in Season 1, will make a comeback. The trailer hints at this with a scene showing Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected whose breath releases spores. Druckmann elaborated on the escalation of the infected, stating, "There is an escalation of numbers and types of infected, but also, as you see in the trailer, an escalation of the vector of how this thing spreads." He further explained the introduction of new elements, such as tendrils in Season 1 and now spores in Season 2, emphasizing the dramatic necessity of these additions.

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