Joel and Ellie return in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 first look

HBO has released a first look at The Last of Us Season 2. The two new photos (below) show how Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) have adjusted to life in the aftermath of the Season 1 finale.

The first season of the celebrated zombie-centered series ended with Joel bringing Ellie to the Fireflies in hopes that her immunity to the Cordyceps fungus could help make a cure. However, he learned that creating a cure would require Ellie’s death. Not willing to sacrifice his surrogate daughter, Joel killed the remaining Fireflies fled back to Jackson, Wyoming, with an unconscious Ellie in tow. He told her that the Fireflies died in a raid, and that the two of them barely made it out alive. It’s a lie Ellie seems to accept, albeit hesitantly.

Season 2, which will premiere in 2025, picks up with Ellie and Joel living in the Jackson community along with Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and his wife Maria (Rutina Wesley). The first look at Ellie shows her hunting through a building with a flashlight and rifle.

Bella Ramsey as Ellie in “The Last of Us.”
Credit: Courtesy of HBO

And here’s Joel, stoic as ever, with his hair grown out.

Pedro Pascal as Joel in “The Last of Us.”
Credit: Courtesy of HBO

While Pascal and Ramsey are both returning to The Last of Us, Season 2 will also introduce a handful of new faces.

Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart) is stepping into the key role of Abby, a survivor with a link to the Fireflies. Isabela Merced (Turtles All the Way Down) will play Dina, Ellie’s girlfriend, and Young Mazino (Beef) will play Jackson patrol leader Jesse. Schitt’s Creek‘s Catherine O’Hara has also joined the cast, in an as-yet undisclosed role.

The Last of Us Season 1 is now streaming on Max. Season 2 premieres on HBO and Max in 2025.