HBO's The Last Of Us is fast approaching the end of its first season. Just two more episodes to go, but the show's massive success right out the gate quickly ensured it will get a season two. As for how long we'll have to wait for that second season, maybe not as long as you feared. When asked when filming for the next chapter in the adaptation's story might start, Pedro Pascal admitted he's hopeful it'll begin later this year.
Pascal spoke to Collider (thanks, Naughty Dog Central) about The Mandalorian season three, but since the start of his massive Disney show overlaps with the end of his massive HBO one, it was impossible not to ask him about The Last Of Us. “In the year 2023? Oh, what season are we in now? We're getting into spring?" Pascal said when asked if there's a chance season two starts filming this year.
“Yes, there is a chance. Yes,” he eventually confirmed. As for the potential pitfalls of filming season two so soon after season one has finished, those who haven't played The Last Of Us Part 2 might want to stop reading here. There's a pretty significant time jump between the first and second game, meaning Ellie is five years older by the time we see her again.
That won't necessarily be an issue for Pascal. He's already playing a Joel almost a decade older than him and nailing it. It's a bigger issue for younger actors, though. Yes, Bella Ramsey is actually 19, Ellie's age in Part 2, but season one has framed Ramsey, and the way she looks right now, as a 14-year-old. Making her seem more like a 19-year-old later this year is possible, of course, especially since Ramsey is actually 19 and quite a bit of time has passed since filming wrapped on season one.
Just two more episodes remain in season one, the next of which will feature Troy Baker playing an entirely new character who didn't appear in the games. Baker was the voice and mocap actor for Joel in both games. Perhaps if the adaptation had been an animated show, which was apparently the plan once upon a time, Baker would have reprised his role as Joel.