Inside the SXSW 2025 Interview: The Last of Us Season 2 Reveals

I just watched the highly anticipated SXSW 2025 panel for HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, and let me tell you—it was packed with insights, surprises, and a whole lot of excitement. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the masterminds behind the show, joined cast members Pedro Pascal (Joel), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse) to discuss the next chapter of this post-apocalyptic saga.

If you weren’t able to catch the panel live, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Let’s break down everything we learned, from new character dynamics to the intense themes Season 2 will explore.

A Time Jump and a Darker Storyline

One of the first things the panel confirmed is that Season 2 picks up five years after the events of Season 1. Joel and Ellie are now settled in Jackson, Wyoming, trying to find some sense of normalcy in a world that’s anything but normal.

However, peace doesn’t last long. Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby, a soldier with her own painful past, is set to shake things up in ways that fans of The Last of Us Part II (the game) already know will be emotionally devastating. Mazin and Druckmann hinted that while the show will remain true to the game’s core story, there will be some unexpected twists along the way.

“There’s a lot of intense stuff we haven’t even teased yet,” Druckmann said, which immediately set fans buzzing with speculation.

Who Is Abby? Kaitlyn Dever Talks About Her Role

Kaitlyn Dever is stepping into the role of Abby Anderson, a complex and controversial character from the game. In the panel, she spoke about the immense pressure of portraying a character who, depending on who you ask, is either one of the best-written antiheroes in gaming or its most divisive figure.

“It’s been a challenge, for sure,” Dever admitted. “Abby is fierce, determined, and carrying a lot of pain. But at the same time, she’s human. My goal is to make people understand her choices, even if they don’t agree with them.”

Mazin added that Abby’s story will be just as layered as Ellie’s, ensuring that audiences experience the emotional weight of both perspectives.

Introducing New Factions: The WLF and the Seraphites

Season 2 isn’t just about individual rivalries—it’s about larger conflicts. The trailer introduced two new factions that will play a huge role in the upcoming season:

Jeffrey Wright was confirmed to be playing Isaac, the leader of the WLF. Fans of the game know Isaac as a ruthless tactician, so it’ll be exciting (and probably terrifying) to see what he brings to the role.

More Infected, More Horror

One common complaint about Season 1 was that there weren’t enough encounters with the Infected. Well, that’s about to change.

Mazin confirmed that Season 2 will introduce Stalkers—a terrifying stage of the Infected that lurk in the shadows, waiting to ambush their prey.

And if that’s not enough, airborne fungal spores are finally making an appearance. In the games, spores were a major part of the infection’s spread, and their absence in Season 1 was noticeable. According to Mazin, Season 2 will feature moments where characters must navigate through dangerous, spore-filled environments, adding another layer of tension.

Ellie and Dina: A Deeper Look at Their Relationship

One of the most heartwarming (and heartbreaking) aspects of The Last of Us Part II was the relationship between Ellie and Dina. Isabela Merced, who plays Dina, spoke about her excitement in bringing that dynamic to life.

“Their relationship is beautiful, but it’s also messy,” Merced said. “They’re both young, dealing with trauma, and trying to find joy in a world that doesn’t make it easy.”

Ramsey, who plays Ellie, added that Season 2 will show a more vulnerable side of Ellie. “She’s been through so much, and in this season, we really see the emotional toll it takes on her.”

What’s Next? A Wild Ride Ahead

If there’s one thing the SXSW panel made clear, it’s that Season 2 is going to be intense. The cast and creators kept emphasizing that while the show will remain faithful to the source material, there will be surprises that even longtime fans won’t see coming.

“We’re not just making a straight adaptation,” Mazin said. “We’re making something that feels alive, like it’s its own thing while honoring what came before.”

And with that, the panel left us with one final tease: “Get ready. It’s going to be a roller coaster.”

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13, 2025. Buckle up.