New The Last of Us star Isabela Merced revealed some exciting production updates about the second season of the hit HBO series.
The ensemble cast of the post-apocalyptic drama is poised to grow in Season 2, with Merced joining as Dina and Kaitlyn Dever as Abby; both characters are significant figures in the video game series the show is based on, which — of course — heightened expectations for the second season.
Fortunately, fans of the show and the games alike may be in for a treat when Season 2 arrives, as the newly announced cast member has nothing but good words about what went down during the first day of filming. She also revealed that a “future superstar” will be joining the show’s growing cast.
“The stars are truly aligning. I had several of my friends that I’ve worked with in this industry for a long time join the cast. I can’t say who just joined, but he’s amazing. And he’s a future superstar and already a superstar in my eyes,” Merced told Deadline. “We’ve had one day of shooting for me as Dina and I gotta say, we kind of ate, I’m not gonna lie. I was a huge fan of the second game. I played it in, like, one weekend. And then I wondered, how is this going to translate onto TV?
The actress also praised series creator Craig Mazin, saying that he is “one of the most brilliant people” she’s ever worked with. Mazin created The Last of Us series adaptation for HBO alongside Neil Druckmann.
“Craig Mazin is one of the most brilliant people — actually, I think, a genius. I’m sure if they did the test, they would find out that it’s true. And he just has a way of bringing these characters to life that no one could ever just come up with in such a short amount of time. I love him. He’s amazing.”
When will The Last of Us Season 2 come out?
The exact release window for Season 2 remains unknown, but considering it started filming earlier this year, it will most likely arrive some time in 2025.
“The live-action series takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across a post-pandemic America,” reads the synopsis.
The first season stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Nick Offerman as Bill, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Anna Torv as Tess, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Storm Reid as Riley Abel, and more.
All nine episodes of The Last of Us Season 1 are available to stream on Max.
