The Last of Us has revealed a first look at Kaitlyn Dever in a new season two teaser.
The follow-up season of the video game adaptation is set to fast-forward five years, with leading duo Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) continuing their journey through a zombie-filled post-apocalypse.
"After five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie's collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind," teases the official synopsis.
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Season two is set to introduce some of the most iconic characters from the video game series, including No One Will Save You star Dever as antagonist Abby, a deadly solider with an axe to grind.
The arrival of Abby also means the introduction of Ellie's love interest Dina, played by Madame Web's Isabela Merced.
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They will be joined by Beef's Young Mazino, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice's Catherine O'Hara, Riverdale's Spencer Lord, You's Tati Gabrielle, Top Gun: Maverick's Danny Ramirez, Runaways' Ariela Barer and Jeffery Wright – who will reprise his role as militia leader Isaac Dixon from the games.
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The thrilling teaser sees Joel attending a therapy-like session with O'Hara's character.
"You can't heal something unless you're brave enough to say it out loud," she says, narrating the clip. "Say the thing that you're afraid to say. Say it out loud, no matter what it is. No matter how bad. What did you do?"
The clip is filled with heartwarming moments including Ellie and Dina meeting, as well as Joel teaching Ellie to play the guitar. Abby is seen visiting a snow-filled graveyard, before getting attacked by a group of zombies.
We're also given a glimpse of the upcoming challenges the characters will face as they go head-to-head with more fungal creatures and race through a train station to avoid the infection.
Related: The Last of Us season 2 gets first look at Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey
In an interview with Deadline, HBO chairman Casey Bloys recently gave an update on the show's 2025 release window after filming wrapped in July.
"Well, all I'll say now, generally first half of the year. I expect them to be in the Emmy window," he revealed.
The Emmy Awards eligibility for next year officially started on June 1, 2024, and will run until May 31, 2025 – so fans can expect The Last of Us season two to air before next summer.
The Last of Us airs on HBO in the US, and on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK. Season 2 is in production.
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Sara is an entertainment journalist who specialises in TV and film. After studying journalism at the University of Roehampton, Sara joined Digital Spy in 2023, writing news (and the occasional feature) on all things entertainment. She has also written for the culture desk at The Evening Standard. A lover of all things TV and film, Sara can wax lyrical about everything from Bridgerton to The Witcher. She can also recite entire episodes of New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation. In her spare time, Sara loves to knit, crochet and cross-stitch. Also a musical theatre aficionado, Sara counts Samantha Barks as one of her heroes and is a loyal fan of Jodie Comer.
