HBO's The Last of Us Season 2 will resurrect cut content from the original The Last of Us Part II video game, according to showrunner and Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann. Druckmann revealed to Entertainment Weekly that the show will feature "pretty brutal" scenes, including restored elements from the PlayStation 5 remaster's "Lost Levels."
These levels, including Jackson Party, The Hunt, and Seattle Sewers, offer diverse scenarios. The first two depict calmer moments—Ellie attending a party and tracking a boar—while the Seattle Sewers sequence retains the intense horror characteristic of the game.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: New Faces and Returning Favorites
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The inclusion of this cut content promises intense viewing. Druckmann hinted at the appearance of a previously unshown "pretty prominent" character, echoing Season 1's handling of Frank.
Season 2 introduces numerous new characters, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Tati Gabrielle as Mel. Catherine O'Hara's role remains a mystery.
The April premiere of Season 2's first episode will answer some questions, but others may remain unresolved. Unlike Season 1's complete adaptation of the first game, HBO intends to extend Part II beyond a single season. Showrunner Craig Mazin explained that Part II's expansive narrative necessitates this, and Season 2 concludes with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, leaving the possibility of a Season 3 open.