Fans of HBO’s adaptation of “The Last of Us” will need to exercise patience as they wait for the highly anticipated second season. The announcement of the renewal of the series for another season came in January, but according to HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys, production won’t begin until early 2024, as reported by Variety.
The delay in production was attributed to the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The SAG-AFTRA strike, which started in October, continues to affect the television industry. Additionally, the show was not included in HBO’s 2024 slate, suggesting that viewers might not see the second season until 2025 at the earliest.
Despite the delay, preparations for the new season are already underway. Co-creator Neil Druckmann shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly in September that they have outlined the entire second season and are ready to commence production as soon as the strikes are resolved. Showrunner Craig Mazin also confirmed that he submitted a script for the first episode of the new season just before the WGA strike began.
In addition to the news about “The Last of Us,” Bloys revealed some updates about HBO’s content lineup. The second season of “House of the Dragon” is slated for release in early summer 2024, as reported by Variety. Reporters present at the event were treated to a trailer for the upcoming season. Furthermore, the third season of “The White Lotus” and the “It” spinoff series “Welcome to Derry” are scheduled for 2025, according to Deadline.
During the event, Bloys also addressed a recent report by Rolling Stone, which detailed how a staffer was directed to engage in online trolling of critics on social media platforms. Bloys responded by stating that he prefers to engage in direct messages with critics when he takes issue with their reviews. This approach allows for a healthier and more constructive exchange of ideas.
Although fans may be disappointed by the delay in production, HBO’s commitment to delivering high-quality content remains unwavering. With the anticipation surrounding the second season of “The Last of Us” building, viewers can look forward to an immersive and captivating continuation of the beloved video game adaptation. As production begins in early 2024, the dedicated team behind the series will work diligently to bring the world of “The Last of Us” to life once again, promising an unforgettable viewing experience for fans and newcomers alike.
