The first trailer for The Last of Us season 2 focuses on hardcore action, zombies, and sad Joel being very, very sad

Future and its syndication partners may earn commission when you buy through links in our articles.

The first official teaser for HBO’s The Last of Us season 2 is here, offering a melancholic look at life years after the events of the first season.

I won’t spoil anything for you: if you’re already familiar with The Last of Us Part 2, then you’ll have a pretty good idea of ​​what’s going to happen, and if not, Wikipedia If you can’t wait to learn, we can help. Suffice it to say that life has returned to some sort of normality, or at least stability, in the wake of the Cordyceps outbreak; But just like in the real world, some days are better than others. And those less good days, boy, they are Really not good.

Joel is clearly struggling (you know what you did) and his relationship with Ellie are equally strained — it’s drama, baby — but the trailer also features plenty of angry zombies, gunshots, implied torture and kinetic bad news. I guess the point is to preempt the common complaint that the first season, while excellent narratively, was a bit lacking in action.

It also seems our guess that Catherine O’Hara’s “undisclosed role” is that of a therapist of some sort is correct: the timer at the beginning of the trailer is a sure sign that this isn’t just idle chatter about a couple. Lone Stars at room temperature.

It’s worth noting for the record that familiarity with The Last of Us Part 2 does not guarantee on-the-spot insights into season 2 of The Last of Us. Showrunner Craig Mazin has said that HBO’s approach to the game in 2023 will be different where and when it’s needed. to be “radically” that way sometimes – though I very much doubt it would have much effect on, you know, the whole Joel thing. (No spoilers! Just saying.)

A. previously released teaser (which has since been removed) said The Last of Us season 2 would be released in 2024-25, but the first part of that issue is now off the table. An exact release date hasn’t been announced, but today’s trailer confirms it won’t be out until 2025.