The Last of Us Season 2 Premieres April 13: What to Expect
HBO’s The Last of Us returns on April 13, diving into the emotionally charged events of The Last of Us Part II. With Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reprising their roles as Joel and Ellie, the second season picks up five years later, but all eyes are on one name: Abby.
HBO’s Major Change: Abby’s Storyline Unfolds Differently
In 2020, Abby’s introduction in The Last of Us Part II was one of the most polarizing moments in gaming history. Her character sparked heated debates, from the narrative direction to her muscular physique, and even led to harassment campaigns against developers and voice actors. But will HBO’s adaptation experience the same backlash? Or has time softened audience perceptions?
Unlike the game, where Abby’s perspective is introduced much later, HBO is bringing her backstory forward to build empathy with viewers early on. Co-creator Neil Druckmann confirmed that this shift aims to ensure audiences understand her motivations before the pivotal events unfold. Rather than mirroring the gameplay experience, the show will explore Abby’s past and relationships sooner, preventing a stark tonal shift midway through the season.
Additionally, showrunners have emphasized that Abby’s character essence is the priority, rather than a strict adherence to her physical depiction in the game. Kaitlyn Dever’s performance will focus on Abby’s inner strength, resilience, and moral complexity, shaping audience perception through storytelling rather than visuals alone.
This shift also raises an important question: Will Season 2 face the same culture war backlash that surrounded The Last of Us Part II? One of the biggest controversies of the game was accusations of forcing social justice themes, particularly regarding Abby’s physique and LGBTQ+ representation. However, HBO’s adaptation of Bill and Frank’s story in Season 1 was widely praised, showing that TV audiences may react differently than gamers. With a more gradual introduction to Abby’s character, HBO might be able to sidestep some of the divisiveness that defined the game's release.
The Spoiler Dilemma: Druckmann’s Changed Approach
Neil Druckmann recently addressed his approach to spoilers in an interview with GameSpot, reflecting on the Last of Us Part II leaks in 2020. He admitted that, despite his previous efforts to prevent leaks, he now follows HBO’s lead when it comes to revealing plot details.
"I’ve learned to not put so much stock in that," Druckmann said, explaining that HBO’s approach assumes that many viewers haven’t played the game and are experiencing the story for the first time. This suggests that major moments might still be kept under wraps, but HBO won’t be as secretive as game development traditionally is.
He also emphasized that his main creative focus is making the best internal decisions for the characters and story rather than trying to anticipate audience reactions. This mindset aligns with HBO’s approach to adaptation—preserving core themes while ensuring the narrative fits the TV format.
Season 2 of The Last of Us isn’t just another chapter—it’s a defining moment that will shape how audiences remember the franchise. With a seven-episode run, there’s less time to ease into the heavy emotional beats, meaning HBO needs to nail its character work early on.
