With the much-anticipated second season of The Last of Us set to arrive soon, HBO has finally revealed its vision for the series’ future. While fans have been eagerly waiting for the next chapter of Joel and Ellie’s journey, the network has now hinted that the show may already have an endpoint in sight.
A Long Wait for Season Two
The first season of The Last of Us debuted in January 2023, bringing to life the beloved video game adaptation with critical and commercial success. However, since then, fans have been patiently waiting for season two, which will begin exploring the emotional and intense events of The Last of Us Part II. The game, released in 2020, was a massive hit, praised for its bold storytelling and deep character arcs.
As audiences prepare to see Bella Ramsey return as Ellie, Pedro Pascal reprise his role as Joel, and Kaitlyn Dever step into the divisive role of Abby, HBO has now provided insight into just how long the series will run.
HBO’s Plan: Four Seasons and Done
In an interview with Deadline, Francesca Orsi, HBO’s head of drama, explained that the goal was never to unnecessarily extend the series. She emphasized that The Last of Us is not designed to be an open-ended show, saying: “We don’t have definitive plans, but it looks like we’re aiming for four seasons. I can’t confirm it entirely, but after this season and two more, that should bring us to the conclusion.”
While the first season closely followed the narrative of the first game, The Last of Us Part II is a much larger and more intricate story, raising questions about how its adaptation will be structured. Given its greater narrative complexity, will it require multiple seasons? Or could the showrunners, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, expand beyond the original source material?
A Deliberate and Thoughtful Ending
HBO appears aware of the natural limits of the story, especially considering that the video game franchise currently consists of only two installments. Unlike some series that drag on for the sake of longevity, The Last of Us is being crafted with a clear ending in mind.
One recurring criticism of the first season was its limited screen time for the infected, with fans hoping for more encounters with clickers, runners, and other terrifying creatures. However, the series has always prioritized character-driven storytelling over action-heavy sequences, and it seems HBO intends to maintain that focus.
Will There Be More After Season Four?
While four seasons seem to be the plan, one lingering question remains: what if a third game is released? Naughty Dog has not ruled out The Last of Us Part III, and if it eventually happens, could HBO extend the series further? So far, the network remains cautious about making any definitive commitments beyond the currently planned arc.
For now, the clock is ticking on The Last of Us, making each upcoming episode all the more precious. Fans can mark their calendars: season two arrives in April 2025 on Max.
