The Last of Us Season 2is set to launch later this month, and it arrives off the back of a highly successful first season. Video game adaptations have been extremely hit-and-miss over the years, but HBO’s show retains the core elements of what made the games so popular while building on the world and lore in new and interesting ways. Given that thesecond game’s narrative proved hugely controversial, fans are keen to see exactly how Season 2 of the show will adapt the story.
Game Rant recently attended a press conference withThe Last of Us Season 2’s cast and crew to discuss the new season. Neil Druckmann expressed his excitement about the show’s return and the work that went into it. Returning for Season 2, Gabriel Pena, who plays Joel’s brother Tommy, talked about how the show’s new faces introduced a completely different dynamic.
The Last of Us Season 2 is Primed For Success
The impressive reception forThe Last of Us' first season probably caught a few people off guard. The flip side is that this positivity has cranked up the pressure for Season 2, particularly whenThe Last of Us Part 2’s narrative isn’t anywhere near as universally loved as the first. Just how muchNeil Druckmann and Craig Mazin decide to tweak this narrative for the showremains to be seen, but given how the first season closely mirrored the core events of the first game, fans aren’t expecting wholesale changes. With Season 2’s premiere within touching distance, Druckmann expressed his excitement. He said,
‘‘It feels like now it’s close enough where we can start visualizing and thinking about people watching this show, engaging with it, talking about it. We just have such an incredible cast and crew that have put absolutely everything on the line: incredible performances, sets, prosthetics, and VFX. We’ve got a wild season in front of you.’’
Gabriel Pena on Returning as Tommy
Gabriel Pena is back asJoel’s battle-hardened brother Tommy, and with Season 2 picking up five years after Season 1’s finale, he is in a very different place mentally and physically than the last time viewers saw him. His relationship with his brother Joel is an important component of the story. Additionally, Pena explained how the plethora of new faces joining the cast brought new excitement and energy. The likes of Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino and Isabela Merced each brought something fresh to the table. Pena explained,
‘‘It’s good to be back. It’s great to just get the family back together. But also, these new additions to the cast have strengthened the story in so many new and exciting ways. They’ve each brought a great love for the source material right into it with them. There’s a beautiful infusion of youth and excitement and energy that they all brought. So, we’re really excited for everyone to experience what we made.’’
This blend of youth and experience could prove to be one of the key components of Season 2’s success.The Last of UsSeason 2 must delicately balance numerous storylinesand characters, particularly considering there are only seven episodes. Striking the right balance between these characters and their relationships will ensure the show’s pacing doesn’t leave viewers with whiplash.
