The talk around HBO’s The Last of Us continues as the first episode of its second season has outperformed the inaugural season’s debut. This rise in audience numbers reflects the show’s growing popularity and hints at what could lie ahead for this favorite franchise.
According to recent reports, the premiere garnered 5.3 million same-day viewers across various platforms in the U.S., marking a 10% increase from the initial episode’s viewer count of 4.7 million back in 2023. The first season made history by becoming HBO’s largest audience for any debut season, setting high expectations that Season 2 might top those impressive figures yet again.
The Last of Us, which debuted as a single-player narrative-driven game from Naughty Dog in 2013, quickly earned its place among gaming icons. Known for its gripping storyline and emotional depth, it interested audiences on the PlayStation 3 and has maintained that magic through subsequent releases.
Following this success, Naughty Dog introduced The Last of Us Part II in 2020—a crucial installment that serves as the foundation for Season 2’s adaptation. While the first season wrapped up the storyline from the original game, adapting Part II is expected to require multiple seasons to cover all major events fully.
A report from Deadline highlighted that more viewers are tuning into Season Two than its predecessor—something to note given Neil Druckmann’s previous comments suggesting there may not be another game installment following this one; however, he later clarified those remarks.
Despite some criticism directed toward Bella Ramsay’s portrayal of Ellie Williams—centered mainly on their youthful appearance compared to how Ellie is depicted in-game—the rising viewership numbers indicate strong interest overall, which remains paramount for HBO and its future plans.
