Neil Druckmann on THE LAST OF US Season 2: “It’s a Different Version, But Its DNA Is in There”

HBO’s The Last of Us is gearing up for its highly anticipated second season, and while it’s staying true to the game’s essence, co-creator Neil Druckmann teases that fans should expect some differences.“I love the changes that we’ve made,” Druckmann told Variety. “It’s a different version of that story, but its DNA is in there. Maybe more than excited, I’m really curious what their reaction will be.”While we don’t know the details on these changes, we do know that one of them involves Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. Unlike her game counterpart, Dever’s version isn’t quite as physically imposing, but that’s intentional.Druckmann previously explained: “There’s not as much violent action moment to moment. It’s more about the drama. I’m not saying there’s no action here. It’s just, again, different priorities and how you approach it. “Kaitlyn has the spirit of the game in her. What I always loved about the idea was that you are going to continually be challenged as you were in season 1.”The show will incorporate some “pretty brutal” content that was originally cut from the game. “I’m very excited for people to see it,” Druckmann said.The returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, joined by new faces like Isabela Merced as Dina and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac.The series chronicles the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they navigate a world overrun with zombies infected with a parasitic fungus — not to mention the ruthless vigilantes, mercenaries and cannibals just as desperate to survive.The Last of Us picks up in Season 2 “five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind."With The Last of Us season 2 set to premiere on HBO on April 13, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see just how these changes play out.

Mar 7, 2025 - 17:38

Neil Druckmann on THE LAST OF US Season 2: “It’s a Different Version, But Its DNA Is in There”

HBO’s The Last of Us is gearing up for its highly anticipated second season, and while it’s staying true to the game’s essence, co-creator Neil Druckmann teases that fans should expect some differences.

“I love the changes that we’ve made,” Druckmann told Variety. “It’s a different version of that story, but its DNA is in there. Maybe more than excited, I’m really curious what their reaction will be.”

While we don’t know the details on these changes, we do know that one of them involves Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. Unlike her game counterpart, Dever’s version isn’t quite as physically imposing, but that’s intentional.

Druckmann previously explained: “There’s not as much violent action moment to moment. It’s more about the drama. I’m not saying there’s no action here. It’s just, again, different priorities and how you approach it.

“Kaitlyn has the spirit of the game in her. What I always loved about the idea was that you are going to continually be challenged as you were in season 1.”

The show will incorporate some “pretty brutal” content that was originally cut from the game. “I’m very excited for people to see it,” Druckmann said.

The returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, joined by new faces like Isabela Merced as Dina and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac.

The series chronicles the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they navigate a world overrun with zombies infected with a parasitic fungus — not to mention the ruthless vigilantes, mercenaries and cannibals just as desperate to survive.

The Last of Us picks up in Season 2 “five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind."

With The Last of Us season 2 set to premiere on HBO on April 13, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see just how these changes play out.