Bella Ramsey Teases Explosive Season 2 of 'The Last of Us': More Action, More Emotion, and Scarier Infected

LONDON, April 10 — After two long years, the long-awaited second season of HBO’s hit post-apocalyptic series The Last of Us is finally on the horizon — and star Bella Ramsey promises it’s going to be a heart-pounding, emotionally raw ride. From intense hand-to-hand combat to grotesquely evolved infected, fans are about to get a darker, deeper dive into this harrowing world.

Based on the globally acclaimed video game franchise by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us follows hardened survivor Joel Miller (played by Pedro Pascal) and teenage firecracker Ellie (Ramsey), as they navigate a mutated, infected world. Now five years after the events of Season 1, the second season introduces viewers to an older, more emotionally scarred Ellie. The story picks up in the semi-peaceful community of Jackson, Wyoming — but under that fragile peace, Joel and Ellie’s relationship begins to crack.

“There’s a lot more action in this season,” said Ramsey at the show’s London premiere. “Not just shootouts and fights — it’s more physical. And it’s more intense. Emotionally too, it’s far more complex than what we saw before.”

That sentiment is echoed by co-creator Craig Mazin, who returns to helm the second season with Neil Druckmann, the visionary behind the original game. According to Mazin, the production team learned a lot from Season 1 and was eager to level up the scale — especially in terms of action and creature design.

“We didn’t want to change the formula,” Mazin shared. “Season 1 worked. So we stayed loyal to that structure. But we’ve learned how to elevate the action, the infected sequences — everything’s more grounded, more real, and yes, more terrifying.”

Amping Up the Apocalypse: Expect More of What Fans Loved

One common fan complaint in Season 1 was the minimal screen time for the infected creatures. This time around, the showrunners are answering that criticism loud and clear.

Mazin explained that the infected in Season 2 are more present and far scarier, including new mutated variants that push the line between survival horror and gritty realism. The infected aren’t just jump scares anymore — they’re pivotal to the evolving narrative, used to heighten tension and reflect the psychological battles each character is going through.

And it’s not just about monsters — new faces are joining the journey. Actress Isabela Merced takes on the role of Dina, Ellie’s fiercely loyal best friend, while Young Mazino (from Netflix’s Beef) plays Jesse, a strong moral center in the Jackson community and Dina’s former partner. These characters bring fresh emotional stakes and interpersonal drama to the storyline, offering fans more than just gunfights and clickers.

Eyes on Season 3: Clues Hidden in Season 2

The series has already been greenlit for a third season — and according to Ramsey, subtle clues are scattered throughout Season 2 about where the story might go next.

“There’s a little hint in Season 2, I reckon, as to where the third season is going to go,” she teased. “So definitely keep your eyes open.”

Diehard fans of the game will no doubt try to decode those hints, but creators remain tight-lipped about the plot direction. What’s confirmed is that the series is staying faithful to its roots while continuing to surprise even the most loyal followers.

Streaming Starts Soon: Mark Your Calendars

The Last of Us Season 2 will consist of seven tightly packed episodes and will premiere globally as follows:

• HBO & Max – April 13

• Sky & NOW (UK) – April 14

Whether you're a fan of the original game or just fell in love with the show, Season 2 promises to be one of 2025’s biggest television events. With critical acclaim behind it and an enormous fanbase on edge, the next chapter of The Last of Us is set to be nothing short of legendary.

Will Joel and Ellie survive what’s next? Or will the horrors of the world — and their own demons — tear them apart? Tune in this April to find out.