The Last of Us season 2 is coming—and HBO just turned the hype up a notch. Not only did they drop a batch of striking new character posters, but they also gave us the official first trailer earlier this month, offering a gritty glimpse at what’s next for Joel and Ellie.
The hit series returns Sunday, April 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with episodes streaming on Max at the same time. Season 2 picks up five years after the first season’s gut-wrenching finale. Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) are back—but their bond? It’s not what it once was. And in a world that keeps getting colder and more chaotic, that tension is about to be tested in the worst ways.
These new posters are more than just visuals—they’re a direct nod to The Last of Us Part II, recreating some of the game’s most iconic imagery. Returning characters like Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria are front and center, along with the new faces who are about to shake up everything.
Kaitlyn Dever steps into the role of Abby, and her poster mirrors her video game counterpart to a tee. Also introduced: Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. And in a curveball casting move, Catherine O’Hara joins the story as Gail, a new character created for the series—she’s said to be Joel’s therapist in Jackson. The cast also includes Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, and Danny Ramirez as Manny.
This cast is deep, diverse, and ready to carry the emotional weight this season is setting up. It’s especially great to see actors like Wright, Ramirez, Gabrielle, and Wesley adding more Black and Brown presence to the post-apocalyptic landscape.
Behind the camera, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are still leading the charge. With support from Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog, the show is staying rooted in its source material while expanding the world in bold new ways.
From that moody trailer to these beautifully haunting posters, season 2 is already giving exactly what it needs to. The storytelling is about to go deeper. The characters are about to go through it. And viewers? We’re in for a ride.
Set the reminder—April 13 is right around the corner.