The Last of Us Season 2: An Emotional Triumph

Evanne Evans, 29 Apr 2025

Led by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the series combines powerful storytelling, with standout performances by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.

With nearly 40 million viewers, it has become HBO’s most-watched debut season, praised for its emotional resonance and thoughtful portrayal of complex characters and relationships.

HBO’s The Last of Us faced the daunting challenge of adapting a beloved, story-driven video game into a new medium as the creators aspired for the adaptation to maximise the emotional depth of the narrative without straying too far from the game's core themes. The result was not only a box office success, but also hailed as one of the best video game adaptations ever. The premiere drew in a whopping 4.7 million viewers and eventually reached an audience of over 40 million, making it HBO’s most-watched debut season.

Neil Druckmann, who also co-directed the original game, called the series a “career highlight,” praising the overwhelming fan support. His strategy involved making selective changes to particular scenes that enhanced narrative flow, and maximizing on-screen moments that games currently can't convey.

Central to the show’s emotional resonance was the relationship between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Their authentic on-screen platonic chemistry reflected a genuine off-screen bond. Pascal referred to Ramsey as his “blessing,” and Ramsey admitted their friendship developed alongside the portrayal of their characters. A touching note from Pascal to Ramsey at the end of filming underscored the shared significance of the project in both their lives, despite being at different stages of their careers.

In the end, The Last of Us succeeded not because it replicated the game, but because it elevated it, proving that with the right vision, even a beloved interactive story can evolve into a powerful new form of storytelling.