Posted in: HBO, Max, TV | Tagged: sxsw, the last of us
The Last of Us Season 2 Official Trailer Released During SXSW 2025
Released during SXSW, here's the trailer for Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann's Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey-starring The Last of Us Season 2.
Article Summary
- The Last of Us Season 2 official trailer debuts during SXSW 2025, with cast and creators taking part in a presentation.
- The series stems from Showrunners and EPs Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann and stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
- Mazin and Druckmann discuss fan reactions and series future beyond Season 2.
- New cast members join returning favorites, expanding the world of the series.
Showrunners and Executive Producers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann gave fans of HBO's Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey-starring The Last of Us the heads up that something special was on the way during this weekend's portion on SXSW 2025. Joining them for a panel presentation to offer insights into the second season were Pascal, Ramsey, Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse) – and that included a look at the official trailer – which we have waiting for you above. In addition, we have a look at what Mazin and Druckmann had to share about the changes from "Part II" to Season 2 – and more – waiting for you below…
And if you're interested in checking the show's SCSW panel, here's a look at what went down earlier today:
The Last of Us Season 2 Makes Changes But Part II "DNA Is In There"
Along with the news of some major additions to the hit HBO series' cast, Mazin and Druckmann spoke with Variety this past week on a wide range of topics related to the upcoming second season. One of those topics discussed related to the changes that Mazin and Druckmann made from the video game's "Part II" to bring things to live-action series life – like the addition of Catherine O'Hara as Joel's therapist, fleshing out a backstory on "Part II" character Eugene (set to be played by Joe Pantoliano), and going with a different physical take on Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), for example.
Though expectations were high for the first season, they're even more so as the series heads in "Part II" territory. So, how are Mazin and Druckmann feeling about the possibility of some toxic social media pushback on the changes that they made? Based on what they went through to get "Part II" finished and to get the first season of the HBO series onto small screens, it sounds like Druckmann is feeling confidently ready for it. "I love the changes that we've made," Druckmann shared. "It's a different version of that story, but its DNA is in there. Maybe more than excited, I'm really curious what their reaction will be."
In terms of the bigger picture, how long does the duo see the series running? "It feels like we've got one or two more seasons," Mazin added, reaffirming what he and Druckmann had shared previously about their take on "Part II" needing more than one season. "It's getting harder to make because every episode gets big. You don't want to wait four years for a 17-episode finish, or whatever it is."
- Image: HBO
- Image: HBO
With Season 2 set to hit HBO & Max screens in April 2025, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey will be joined this season by Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Catherine O'Hara as Joel's therapist. In addition, Joe Pantoliano, Alanna Ubach, Ben Ahlers, Hettienne Park, Robert John Burke, and Noah Lamanna have joined the cast.
Pantoliano is set to play Eugene, a character referenced in the video game but now set to be fully fleshed out during the second season of the live-action series. Burke is set to play Seth, who runs a bar in the Jackson, Wyoming, community where Ellie and Joel live following the events of the first season. Lamanna is set as Kat, who dated Ellie before the events of the second video game. As for new additions to the story's cast, Ubach has been tapped to play a character named Hanrahan, while Ahlers plays a character named Burton, and Park is set for a character named Elise.
Behind the camera, Mazin and Druckmann will be joined by Peter Hoar (S01E03: "Long, Long Time") are Mark Mylod (HBO's Succession), Nina Lopez-Corrado (HBO's Perry Mason), Stephen Williams (HBO's Watchmen) and Kate Herron (Loki). HBO's The Last of Us is written and executive-produced by Mazin and Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is also executive-produced by Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O'Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog serve as the production companies.
