One of the biggest TV cultural events of 2023 so far was the first season of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” which garnered both massive ratings and a ton of critical acclaim. .
The series was set twenty years after the collapse of modern civilization following a fungal epidemic. Joel and Ellie, a couple bonded by the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances on a trek through post-pandemic America.
Much of the show’s success is due to the show’s stars and former “Game of Thrones” alumni Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who took on the iconic roles of Joel and Ellie from the acclaimed video game and been honored during their work.
The pair are now gearing up for the second season, which is expected to last much of next year, and are well aware of the pressures they face following this success. Speaking to Deadline recently for a profile article, Ramsey says she feels the pressure is still there, but has “eased” slightly:
“I think, in a way, it’s diminished. But also, he’s there even more than before because he’s been so successful. So there is the pressure to do it again, but better. But I think if you think about it too much, there’s nothing you can do. You just have to do it, right? There’s no way to sit down and say, ‘Okay, how can I make this better?’ Go ahead and do it. But because I don’t have to write or produce it, I can just come in the day and hope for the best.
Pascal adds that while there’s anxiety, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are a big help with his experience on hits like “Game of Thrones,” “Narcos,” and “The Mandalorian”:
“I know it’s a challenge, but a challenge we can meet. It’s a little scary. Because we’re going into season 2 with the way it’s already been received, so it’s already started with some pressure. It would actually be weird if we didn’t feel it. But, in terms of the popularity of the game, we are in good hands.
The first season also stars Gabriel Luna, Rutina Wesley, Nico Parker, Anna Torv, Melanie Lynskey, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, and Storm Reid. It’s available now in digital stores and on HBO Max with a 4K disc game coming next month.