If you’re active on the internet in any capacity, you’ve most likely heard about HBO’s hit new show The Last of Us. And if you’ve seen the show, you know that there are some amazing things going on within the show itself, but what you might not know is some of the fun history and background of the show. So, I’m here to tell you everything you need to know about The Last of Us.
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series created for HBO. The show is set twenty years after a mutation in the fungi Cordyceps causes a mass fungal infection, which causes a global pandemic. This infection turns its victims into “zombies” that are hostile and cannibalistic. The show follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler who has to escort teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the post-apocalyptic United States. Guest stars of the show include Nico Parker as Joel’s daughter Sarah, Anna Torv as Joel’s partner Tess, and Merle Dandridge as resistance leader Marlene.
The Last of Us is based on a 2013 action-adventure game of the same name in which players control Joel in his task to escort Ellie across the United States. Players use guns and improvised weapons and can defend against hostile humans and zombie creatures. There is also an online multiplayer mode, in which up to eight players can cooperate and compete. The game was developed by Naughty Dog, which also developed the hit Uncharted games. The game is praised highly for its narrative, visuals, gameplay, score, characters, and depiction of female characters.
The show premiered on HBO Max on January 15, 2023, and immediately became a hit. The series premiere was watched by 4.7 million viewers on the first day, which is the second-most for HBO since 2010, and surpassed 22 million within twelve days. Episodes are released weekly, with the first three available now. There will be nine episodes total, with each being around an hour long. The show has already been renewed for a second season.
Although the show is a hit across the country, I would not recommend watching The Last of Us with children around. With a TV-MA rating, it’s a pretty violent show, with somewhat graphic depictions of cannibalism, bloody deaths, and the virus. On the other hand, the show has beautiful cinematography and visuals (literally breathtaking) and can be very sweet at times. But, if you’re looking for a family show (or just aren’t into gore and violence), you may want to check out something different.
Overall, The Last of Us is a fantastic show thus far and I’m very excited to see what comes next, with the next episode airing this Sunday at 8 PM CST. I would definitely recommend this show to any drama-lover looking for a new show.