The Last of Us Season 2 Premiere: New Faces and Rising Tensions

NEW YORK, N.Y. — HBO‘s critically acclaimed series “The Last of Us” returned on April 13, 2025, with its eagerly awaited Season 2 premiere, titled “Future Days.” Set five years after the harrowing events of Season 1, the episode explores the deepening rifts between protagonists Joel and Ellie and introduces new characters and threats that complicate their survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

The premiere opens in Jackson, a supposed safe haven for survivors, where Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) are attempting to adapt to their new lives. Joel is now viewed as a community leader alongside Maria (Rutina Wesley). However, the emotional fallout from his previous decisions looms over both him and Ellie, who is now a teenager eager for independence but harboring suspicions about Joel’s past actions.

During a pivotal therapy session, Gail (Catherine O’Hara), a new character and Joel’s therapist, urges him to confront his feelings regarding his relationship with Ellie. She asks, “You can’t heal something unless you’re brave enough to say it out loud,” a sentiment that reflects the growing distance between Joel and Ellie. This moment underscores the complexities they face as they navigate their fractured relationship.

Meanwhile, the episode foreshadows looming threats outside Jackson’s walls, with newcomer Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) revealed to be seeking revenge against Joel for a past incident that led to her personal loss. The audience learns little about Abby at this stage, save for her chilling statement, “Slowly, we kill him,” hinting at further conflict ahead.

The season premiere is packed with intense scenes, including a New Year’s Eve dance party where Ellie shares a significant moment with Dina (Isabela Merced), before disaster strikes in the form of homophobic slurs from a local. Tensions escalate when Joel intervenes, leaving Ellie feeling more isolated.

As Ellie and Dina witness unsettling developments with the infected, including a new type of adversary known as a Stalker, the stakes escalate. Ellie describes the Stalkers as strategic and intelligent, deviating from the mindless zombies previously depicted, indicating a potential evolution of the Cordyceps threat.

The premiere concludes with a shocking cliffhanger: a close-up of living cordyceps vines creeping into Jackson, presenting a dire warning for the community. Earlier interviews with co-creator Neil Druckmann suggested viewers would witness the consequences of a horde penetrating Jackson, leading to a thrilling promise of action and peril.

As fans reflect on the complex layers established in the premiere, many are left with unanswered questions regarding Joel and Ellie’s future as they grapple with both external threats and internal discord. This is only the beginning of a darker tale that lies ahead for the resilient characters in “The Last of Us.” Viewers can catch new episodes weekly on HBO and Max.