The Last of Us returns with a new season and the hype is not only real, but according to the creative leadership and stars, it’s warranted. “Just you wait” said Craig Mazin, in reference to some of what’s coming. Pedro Pascal

joined producers Mazin, Neil Druckmann and the rest of the cast in a press conference in Los Angeles (at which MovieWeb was in attendance) to discuss the anticipated new season of the beloved series. Pascal held nothing back when praising what the series means to him:

“[The Last of Us] definitely created a new chapter in my life in a profound way. Because of the personal experience making it and how it was received… The way I remember meeting Craig and Neil and getting the job… Us on the set for the first time. That it should be received in measure with how important it is to all of us is rare. It’ll never happen again.”

Season 2 of The Last of Us picks up after a five-year time jump from the end of Season 1, and much has happened, changed, and impacted the core relationships that form the series’ foundation. These shifts were necessary to create the proper experience for the audience, to keep it in line with the effective nature of the sequel to the game, which this season follows. “There are two reasons why we changed things or moved them,” said Neil Druckmann.

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‘The Last of Us’ Star Addresses Autism Diagnosis’ Impact on Their Life

Bella Ramsey spoke about how their neurodivergence has changed how they see the world and themselves.

Fans of the game know that there could be major hardships in store for Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, but what they don’t know yet is how it all happens and how the series crafts its biggest moments. Craig Mazin promises something special:

“There was a scene that is in the final episode of the season that was quite impactful in the game, but there was an evolution of it as we put it on film that blows me away… it was spectacular.” Bella Ramsey echoed, “The stuff in the last episode were some of my favorite things to film.”

Will We Get More Episodes Like Bill and Frank’s “Long, Long Time”?

One of the moments that defined The Last of Us Season 1’s excellence was how it took a tiny shred of side plots from the game and expanded them into one of the more beautiful episodes of modern television with Bill and Franks, “Long, Long Time.” Audiences are curious, how can Season 2 top it, build on it, or approximate that type of genius? Mazin teased that fans will get something similar…but different in The Last of Us Season 2.

“That Bill and Frank episode… it just happened. I will say there is a gorgeous episode directed by Neil. But just you wait.”

The Last of Us elevated what a TV series could do with a video game property as much as the original game itself elevated what gaming could do within the medium. Audiences and critics alike are thrilled to see where this team takes the characters and the upcoming season. The Last of Us season 2 begins on April 13 on Max.