The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer Sets HBO Viewership Records

Record-Breaking Trailer Unveiled for The Last of Us Season 2

At the recent SXSW festival, the official trailer for The Last of Us Season 2 made waves by shattering HBO’s viewership records. According to Warner Bros. Discovery, as reported by Deadline, the eagerly anticipated trailer amassed an impressive 158 million views across multiple platforms within just three days. This stunning debut marked the highest viewership for any HBO/Max original within the same period, eclipsing previous trailers for the series by over 160%.

Building Momentum from a Strong First Season

This trailer’s tremendous success is not an isolated instance but rather a continuation of a trend established during the first season. Initially launched a couple of years ago, The Last of Us became the second most-viewed premiere for HBO over the past decade, trailing only after House of the Dragon. Remarkably, it recorded the largest growth from the pilot to the second episode, drawing in 5.7 million viewers on its debut.

Lasting Impressions and Viewer Engagement

To date, initial season episodes have maintained an average viewership of approximately 32 million in the United States, showcasing a substantial increase from the finale’s same-day audience record of 8.2 million viewers. These figures underscore the series’ growing popularity and the intense anticipation for the upcoming season.

What to Expect in Season 2

The upcoming season will consist of seven episodes, with the first episode premiering on April 13 on HBO Max and the season finale set for May 25. This new season will explore key storylines from The Last of Us Part II, promising to deepen the narrative established in the first season. Showrunner Craig Mazin hinted at the potential for at least one or two additional seasons, reflecting the wealth of material available for adaptation.

Differences and Developments in the Narrative

Franchise creator Neil Druckmann noted that although the series will draw heavily from the game’s plot, viewers can expect some narrative deviations. As an extension to the franchise, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is slated for release on April 3 for PC, allowing new audiences to engage with the story.

Future of the Franchise

In recent discussions, Druckmann expressed uncertainty about a possible third installment in the gaming series, indicating a pivot towards new projects at Naughty Dog, including an upcoming sci-fi intellectual property. However, should the viewership numbers for Season 2 remain strong, it might persuade Sony to consider developing another game in the beloved franchise.

Returning and New Faces in Season 2

Set approximately five years after the first season’s conclusion, Season 2 finds Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, wrestling with the implications of his decision to save Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey. Expect to see familiar faces like Joel’s brother Tommy (played by Gabriel Luna) and Maria (played by Rutina Wesley), alongside new characters, including:

Kaitlin Dever as Abby
Isabela Merced as Dina
Young Mazino as Jesse
Tati Gabrielle as Nora (also starring in Naughty Dog’s upcoming game)
Jeffrey Wright as Dixon, reprising his role from the game

The excitement surrounding The Last of Us Season 2 continues to mount as fans eagerly await the premiere, hoping to see rich storytelling combined with stunning performances.