HBO has confirmed that its upcoming The Last of Us series has a premiere date that’s much closer than you might think. Its debut episode will air on 15 January 2023 as the first television series from PlayStation Productions, based on the acclaimed Naughty Dog video game of the same name.
HBO’s The Last of Us stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie, respectively. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly fungus has wiped out most of humanity, it follows Joel as he is given the task of protecting Ellie, a young girl who appears to be immune to the virus.
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The show will be co-written by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin, who will also serve as its executive producer. Naughty Dog vice president Neil Druckmann will co-write the script with Mazin. According to the synopsis, the show will largely cover the events of the first game but it may include some content based on the sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
Pascal is known for his work on The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones, while Ramsey is also known for Game of Thrones.
In related news, executives behind The Last of Us series apparently encouraged Ramsey not to play the game while researching her role, presumably to allow her to bring her own interpretation of Ellie to the screen. Pascal also revealed that he limited himself from experiencing too much of the game, instead learning about Joel through watching his nephew play it instead.
A PS5 remake of 2013’s The Last of Us game released in September to glowing reviews, bringing the classic to new audiences through updated visuals and gameplay. Read our full review if you’re new to the universe and want to play the game before diving into the HBO series.
The Last of Us airs on 15 January 2023.
Source: Variety