The ink’s barely dry on Season 2, and HBO’s already doubling down. The Last of Us will officially return for a third season—even before a single frame of the second has aired.
That’s not just confidence. That’s a statement. And frankly, it tells us everything we need to know about how HBO sees this franchise: as a heavyweight.
Early Green Light Signals Big Faith
It’s not unusual for hit shows to get renewed mid-season. Maybe a couple episodes in, a big ratings bump, a flurry of social media buzz—and boom, another season confirmed.
But this time? HBO has renewed The Last of Us for Season 3 before Season 2 has even premiered. That’s rare.
The last time they renewed this show, it was during the run of Season 1, which had the luxury of nine episodes to build momentum. Season 2? Just seven episodes long. It hasn’t aired a single one yet.
And yet, they pulled the trigger.
The Numbers Speak Louder Than Air Dates
Okay, technically no one outside of HBO has seen Season 2. But that doesn’t mean the network is flying blind.
The trailer alone smashed multiple viewership records for HBO. Think House of the Dragon levels of hype—maybe even more in some corners of the internet.
Rotten Tomatoes already lists the new season with a “Certified Fresh” rating of 92%, based on early reviews. Not bad for a show that’s yet to premiere its first episode.
Here’s how the show stacks up with other recent HBO series in terms of early critical response:
| Show Title | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Pre-Release Season Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us (S2) | 92% | Yes |
| House of the Dragon | 89% | Yes |
| Euphoria (S2) | 85% | No |
| Winning Time (S2) | 78% | No |
The message is clear: The Last of Us is not just another prestige series. It’s the prestige series.
Season 2 Promises Bigger Stakes, Fewer Episodes
Seven episodes. That’s all we’re getting this time.
It’s a bit of a gut punch, considering how fans soaked up every second of the first season’s nine-episode arc. But it’s not all bad news.
Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have already hinted that the shorter season comes with a bigger punch. Think longer episodes. Think bolder action sequences. Think emotional gut-wrenchers.
There’s also the source material to consider. If you’ve played The Last of Us Part II, you already know: it’s darker, it’s riskier, and it doesn’t pull punches.
The adaptation promises the same. Maybe even more.
HBO’s Timing Couldn’t Be Better
Premiering this Sunday, April 13, in the U.S. (and early April 14 in the UK via Sky and NOW), the Season 2 debut lands right at the start of HBO’s Q2—a savvy programming move.
Here’s why that matters:
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It sets HBO up to dominate spring TV ratings.
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It gives The Last of Us a clear runway before summer blockbusters hit.
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It locks in subscriber engagement for at least seven weeks.
Not to mention, it reignites the streaming war between HBO, Netflix, and Amazon Prime just as viewers settle into post-awards season burnout.
This isn’t a happy accident. This is HBO playing chess.
Fans Already Bracing for Heartbreak
Let’s be honest, fans know what’s coming. Anyone who’s played the second game knows this season won’t be an easy watch.
It’s going to hurt.
That’s part of why the renewal announcement feels like a strange comfort. We know heartbreak is coming, but we also know there’s more story ahead. More space to explore. More time to breathe.
And maybe—just maybe—more hope.
Season 3 could even signal the start of material beyond the original games. Druckmann’s been tight-lipped, but if HBO’s willing to keep going, don’t rule anything out.
There’s definitely appetite for it.
