It’s not what you think: Season 2 of The Last of Us on Max confirms a major change from the game
With just days before its premiere, Neil Druckmann explains why they had to adjust a part of the story.
April 2025 brings exciting releases to Max, but the highlight is undoubtedly the second season of The Last of Us, one of the most anticipated premieres of the year. Launching on April 14, the show has generated immense hype, especially after the official X account shared an image of the fearsome Clicker. Now, Neil Druckmann, the series’ creator, has further raised expectations by confirming a significant change from the game. However, it’s not the moment most players are imagining.
This change will be immediately noticeable to anyone familiar with the game, as it directly affects Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, early in Season 2. In a recent press conference, Druckmann reminded fans that in the game, Abby’s pivotal storyline only gains prominence in the latter half of the narrative.
Season 2 of the Max series will take a different approach: Abby’s story will be introduced much earlier. The reason? The inability to replicate through the screen the same feeling players experience while controlling Abby in the game: running through the snow, fighting infected, and seeing events from her perspective. Druckmann explained that while the game keeps Abby’s backstory hidden during gameplay, the series has had to employ “other narrative tools.”
Druckmann also noted that Season 1 of The Last of Us faced a similar challenge with Joel’s daughter, Sarah. The game allows players to take control of Sarah to personally experience the outbreak and the city’s devastation. In the series, this wasn’t feasible, so much of the first episode was dedicated to developing her character and creating a similar emotional impact for viewers.
Release Dates for All Episodes of The Last of Us Season 2
Here’s the schedule for each episode, including release dates and directors:
- Sunday, April 13, 2025 - Episode 1 - Directed by Craig Mazin
- Sunday, April 20, 2025 - Episode 2 - Directed by Mark Mylod
- Sunday, April 27, 2025 - Episode 3 - Directed by Peter Hoar
- Sunday, May 4, 2025 - Episode 4 - Directed by Kate Herron
- Sunday, May 11, 2025 - Episode 5 - Directed by Stephen Williams
- Sunday, May 18, 2025 - Episode 6 - Directed by Neil Druckmann
- Sunday, May 25, 2025 - Episode 7 - Directed by Nina Lopez-Corrado
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