HBO has confirmed The Last of Us will be returning for a second season following the phenomenal success of the post-apocalyptic show’s debut.
Based on the PlayStation video game of the same name, the dystopian drama has already garnered critical acclaim as well as a record-breaking debut on the streaming service after only two episodes.
The show is set 20 years after a global fungal pandemic has infected most of the population, transforming them into frightening mushroom-headed zombies connected to each other with long mildewy growths.
The story follows tragically bereaved dad Joel (Pedro Pascal) as he smuggles 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who is miraculously immune to the fungal infection, out of a Boston quarantine zone all the way to the West Coast where a cure is being created.
The show racked in a massive first episode viewership on HBO with 22 million eyeballs, making it the broadcaster’s most-watched series debut in over a decade.
The Last of Us executive producer Neil Druckmann has now said in a statement to The Hollywood reporter: “I'm humbled, honoured, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie's journey.
“The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast and crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations.
“Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two!”
“I’m so grateful to Neil Druckmann and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey,” said executive producer and showrunner Craig Mazin, who was behind Sky’s hit show Chernobyl.
“The audience has given us the chance to continue, and as a fan of the characters and world Neil and Naughty Dog created, I couldn’t be more ready to dive back in.”
The move to renew the series comes as little surprise, as it has been a hit with both critics and audiences.
Executive vice president of HBO Programming and head of HBO Drama Series and Films, Francesca Orsi, said: “Craig and Neil, alongside EP Carolyn Strauss, and the rest of our phenomenal cast and crew, have defined a genre with their masterful debut season of ‘The Last of Us.
“After pulling off this unforgettable first season, I can’t wait to watch this team outshine themselves again with season two.”
The Last of Us airs Sundays on HBO and Sky Atlantic.
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