**This article contains season 1 spoilers**
The HBO drama series, “The Last of Us,” which is set in a post-apocalyptic world decimated by a fungal pandemic that transforms infected people into zombies is finally returning for season two.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the new season of “The Last of Us.”
The new season will premiere on Sunday, April 13 on HBO and MAX at 9 p.m. ET. Those without cable can watch the show for free through DirecTV Stream which offers a free trial to new users. Sling and MAX are other options for streaming the show, and promotional offers are available. MAX subscriptions start at just $9.99 a month.
Season 2 of “The Last of Us” picks up five years after the events of Season 1. “Joel and Ellie’s collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind,” according to HBO.
What is “The Last of Us” about?
The HBO series is based on the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog and is set 20 years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, causing its host to transform into zombies.
The show stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, who is a smuggler tasked with escorting an immune teenager, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, across a post-apocalyptic U.S to the rebel Fireflies.
What happened in season 1 of “The Last of Us?”
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
The first season, based on the 2013 video game, starts with the fungus called Cordyceps infecting people, taking over the mind of the host and turning them into zombies. The infection causes a frenzy and people everywhere attempt to save themselves and evacuate.
Joel’s daughter dies in his arms after being shot by a soldier even though Joel tries to say they aren’t infected. Twenty years then pass and the death of his daughter seems to still heavily impact Joel. He joins a quarantine zone under the control of FEDRA (the Federal Disaster Response Agency) and we get to see what he’s been doing for the last 20 years and how much society has changed as a result of the infection.
Joel and Ellie then meet and we find out that Ellie is the only known person to be immune to the infection. Joel and Tess (Anna Torv) take Ellie out of Boston to another faction, the Fireflies, in hopes of using her immunity as a cure to save humanity.
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I won’t give away too many spoilers, but after several heartbreaking sacrifices and losses and shocking revelations in the next few episodes we are left with Joel lying to Ellie about what really happened to the fireflies in the season 1 finale.
He tells Ellie that she isn’t the only person confirmed to be immune to the infection and that the Fireflies have other options. He also does not tell Ellie that he murdered the Fireflies, including Marlene, even when she asks about her.
Season two picks up five years later and may not answer all these questions right away but will be sure to show Joel and Ellie facing even more conflict with each other.
The new season will feature seven episodes and several new characters including Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, Spencer Lord, Danny Ramirez, Jeffrey Wright, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pantoliano, Alanna Ubach, Ben Ahlers, Hettienne Park, Robert John Burke and Noah Lamanna.
“The Last of Us” premiered in 2023, and was among the highest-rated drama series in HBO history in its first season earning 24 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and winning 8.
Below is a look at the season 2 trailer for “The Last of Us” from MAX’s YouTube Channel:
How can I watch “The Last of Us” without cable?
Those without cable can watch the show for free through DirecTV Stream which offers a free trial to new users. Sling and MAX are other options for streaming the show, and promotional offers are available. MAX subscriptions start at just $9.99 a month.
What is DirecTV Stream?
The streaming platform offers a plethora of content including streaming the best of live and On Demand, starting with more than 75 live TV channels.
What is Sling?
Sling TV is the first app-based TV service letting you stream live television and on-demand content over the internet. With Sling TV, you get to choose the television option that’s right for you, including Channel Add-ons, Premiums Add-ons, DVR Plus and more.
What isMax?
Maxis an elite streaming service that brings all the iconic programming that you loved about HBO Max together with an even deeper library of crave-worthy genres like true crime, reality, food, comedy, and more — all for the same great price.
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