The Last of Us 2023

TV series · 81 min · English · January 15, 2023

Created by Craig Mazin, Neil DruckmannWritten by Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross

Starring Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino

A post-apocalyptic drama series produced in America, The Last of Us was developed by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO. It is based on the video game franchise created by Naughty Dog and takes place many years after a widespread fungal infection has destroyed civilization, turning people into creatures resembling zombies. The initial season, adapted from 2013’s The Last of Us, centers around Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they journey through the United States. In the second season, which is based on the first part of 2020’s The Last of Us Part II, these characters have moved to Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Ellie's companions Dina (Isabela Merced) and Jesse (Young Mazino) live. This group then heads to Seattle in pursuit of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), who will be the main focus of the third season.

Several key characters are featured throughout the show. The first season included notable guest actors such as Anna Torv portraying Joel's partner Tess, Merle Dandridge and Melanie Lynskey as resistance leaders Marlene and Kathleen, Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as survivalists Bill and Frank, Rutina Wesley as Tommy’s wife Maria, and Storm Reid as Ellie’s close friend Riley. Rutina Wesley returned for the second season, during which Jeffrey Wright joins as militia leader Isaac. Additionally, Spencer Lord, Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, and Danny Ramirez portray Abby's friends Owen, Nora, Mel, and Manny respectively. The third season is anticipated to feature Michelle Mao and Kyriana Kratter as Yara and Lev, members of the Seraphites, a religious group based in Seattle.

Filming for the first season occurred in Alberta from July 2021 to June 2022, while the second took place in British Columbia between February and August 2024. Production for the third season is scheduled to happen in British Columbia from March to November 2026. This series ranks among the most costly television productions ever made, with a collaborative effort by Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, the Mighty Mint, and Word Games. Druckmann, who authored and co-directed the original games, supported Mazin in writing the first season’s nine episodes; Halley Gross, who contributed to Part II's script, joined them for the second season’s seven episodes. The musical score was composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, who also worked on the game soundtracks, along with David Fleming.

The series debuted on January 15, 2023. Within two months, the premiere was viewed by nearly 40 million people across linear networks and HBO Max. By May, it averaged approximately 32 million viewers per episode and became HBO's most-watched debut season. The second season launched on April 13, 2025, and within two months had an average of nearly 37 million viewers. A third season is expected to premiere in 2027. Critics praised the series for its acting, storytelling, production design, direction, and music; many called it the finest video game adaptation ever made. It earned multiple awards, including nine Primetime Emmy Awards.

Cast

Crew

Creator: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Writer: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross
Producer: Greg Spence, Cecil O'Connor, Allen Marshall Palmer, Julie Herrin, Leeann Stonebreaker
Executive producer: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann, Carolyn Strauss, Rose Lam, Evan Wells, Carter Swan, Asad Qizilbash, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O'Connor, Halley Gross
Cinematography: Ksenia Sereda, Eben Bolter, Christine A. Maier, Nadim Carlsen, Catherine Goldschmidt
Music: Gustavo Santaolalla, David Fleming

Details

Production: Naughty Dog, PlayStation Productions, Sony Pictures Television, The Mighty Mint, Word Games
Network: HBO

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The Last of Us 2023

Cast

Crew

Details

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