The Last of Us Season 2: Release Times, New Characters, and What to Expect

The Last of Us Season 2 Kicks Off With High Expectations

The hype for The Last of Us is nowhere near finished. HBO just dropped the second season on April 13, 2025, and it's already buzzing everywhere—Reddit threads going wild, memes back in circulation, and plenty of people frantically checking the clock to not miss an episode. This time, Joel and Ellie pick up the story five years after their last tense run-in, and the world’s not exactly got friendlier in the meantime.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey return as our battered leads, but if you thought you knew what was coming, hold on. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann pull in some massive new players fans remember from the sequel game. Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, makes her first grim entrance, shaking up everything between Joel and Ellie. There’s also Jesse (Young Mazino) and Dina (Isabela Merced), both wrapping deeper layers into the group dynamic. Each brings big energy from the games with just enough tweaks to surprise even the die-hard fans.

The new season only has seven episodes—shorter than the first round—but don’t let that number fool you. It covers about half of The Last of Us Part II, so expect more seasons down the line to close the story’s many threads. And if you’re picking up spoilers from game forums, proceed at your own risk. HBO has a knack for adding their own spin, sometimes keeping, sometimes shifting key events, all while sticking to the core of the post-apocalyptic drama.

When to Watch: Release Times Break Down by Region

One of the trickiest parts for fans is catching new episodes right on time. The schedule’s a little different depending on your timezone. If you’re tuning in from the U.S., set your reminders for 9pm ET every Sunday. UK viewers? Get ready for some late-night binging—it drops at 2am BST, which might sharpen those post-apocalyptic vibes even more. Other global markets usually see new episodes shortly after, depending on local streaming deals, but HBO and Max are leading the release packs.

Episodes come out weekly, so, like before, there’s plenty of time for people to theorize (or spoil) what’s next. The condensed episode count has led some to believe we might get a third or even fourth season. Each chapter moves fast, packing in major plot points, brutal action, and, of course, the trademark emotional gut punches the series is famous for. HBO is taking its time, carving out extra space to get these heavy twists and turns right.

The arrival of The Last of Us Season 2 means new alliances, deeper wounds, and a growing fan base keeping their eyes locked on the next Sunday. New faces aren’t just there for window dressing—they’re vital for where Ellie and Joel have to go next. If the first episode is any sign, the ride is going to get rougher, louder, and probably more heartbreaking than ever.