In an exciting development for fans of The Last of Us: Part II, showrunner Craig Mazin revealed that the highly anticipated HBO series will be divided into two thrilling seasons, promising a double dose of post-apocalyptic storytelling. While we already knew that HBO’s The Last of Us would not conclude with Season 2, this new statement from Mazin seems to hint that there might be a couple more seasons on the way. During a recent interview with Deadline, Craig Mazin discussed the highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us TV series, providing essential updates and interesting details surrounding the TV series.
Mazin revealed, “It’s going to be more than one season. There’s more story, so this show will not end with Season 2 unless people don’t watch it and we’ll get cancelled.” Additionally, Mazin shared insights into the strategy for Season 2 and HBO’s intentions regarding adapting the game’s narrative. “We will be doing some things exactly the way they were in the game. We’re going to do other things that are in the game and we’re gonna do some things that are in the game but we’re gonna do them differently in our own method,” he explained.
Furthermore, he emphasised, “No matter if you have played the game or not. You will be surprised as the season unfolds. We have some interesting twists and turns.” The series co-creator further disclosed that they have already completed writing the initial episode for Season 2. “We know what the whole season is, and I was actually able to get a write and submit the first episode right before the deadline hit,” he said. “So now I’m just walking around kind of brain-writing, I guess, which I don’t think is scabbing. I take walks and I think through the scenes because when the bell rings and this is over because the companies have finally come to their senses, I’m going to have to basically shoot myself out of a cannon because we really want to try and get this show on the air when it’s supposed to be on the air.”
Mazin also stated that if The Last of Us maintains its success, they are fully committed to moving forward with Season 3. Acknowledging potential concerns from fans regarding Season 2, Mazin reassured viewers that their primary objective is to provide a distinct and captivating storytelling experience rather than a mere replication of the game. Mazin emphasised that their objective is not to generate unnecessary shock or fuel social media fear but rather to craft a narrative that resonates with the audience.
Mazin addressed the potential for controversy by stating, “Will there be furore? Yeah, probably, there usually is, starting even with casting. I’m never gonna say there are things that are gonna happen in the show that happened in the game. You never know what we’re gonna do, But I will say that it is the adventure, the journey is the point. There are things that will shock people, things that were in the game, things that were not in the game, and that’s okay. As long as they’re purposeful, they’re not there to just simply shock. We are not interested in creating social media fear. We just want to tell the story the way we think it should be told.”
During a May interview with Deadline, Francesca Orsi, the HBO Head of Drama, shared that the anticipated return of The Last of Us series is currently slated for 2025. The filming for the first season commenced in July 2021, taking place over a 200-day period in various locations within Calgary, Alberta. As revealed by Deadline in March, Season 2 will be predominantly set in Vancouver, as it draws upon a significant part of the story from “The Last of Us Part II” video game, which unfolds in the Pacific Northwest.
Due to the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strike, there is a significant possibility that The Last of Us Season 2 might get delayed. Mazin, speaking about the potential delay of Season 2, expressed concern, stating, “We’re getting pretty close; we can’t keep our original start dates forever obviously, If these strikes go much longer we inevitably will have to push and that hurts us, and it hurts the audience, and it hurts HBO. We all, everybody wants to get back to work; I think everybody that’s actually doing the work, including the network people who are with us on the ground, I think everybody just wants to get this solved. So fingers crossed.”
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