The Last of Us Season Two Premiere Crushes Season One Numbers

The second season of HBO's "The Last of Us" debuted recently and quickly garnered 5.3 million same-day viewers across platforms in the US. This figure reflects a 10% increase from the season one premiere, which attracted 4.7 million viewers in 2023. Leading up to the premiere, interest in the first season surged, as viewership spiked by 150% in the preceding week. The season two trailer on YouTube also performed exceptionally well, racking up 33 million views, outperforming trailers for other major shows. The new season picks up five years after the first season's finale, featuring returning characters Ellie and Joel, along with new cast members like Kaitlyn Dever as Abby. HBO's "The Last of Us" has set records as the most-watched show on HBO Max, especially in Europe and Latin America.

"The Last of Us" is based on the acclaimed video game series of the same name by Naughty Dog, known for its gripping narrative and character development. The franchise explores a post-apocalyptic world where survivors navigate dangers from infected humans and other survivors, making strong emotional connections a central theme in both the games and the television adaptation.