Season 1 of HBO’s The Last of Us show will have 10 episodes
By Ashley Hurst
Adapting video games as movies and TV shows is famously hit or miss; look no further than the Assassin’s Creed and Warcraft films to see how not to do it. But HBO is banking on “hit” with its upcoming adaptation of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us series. The network is going all-in to make this the world’s biggest zombie show, assembling a stellar cast that includes Game of Thrones veterans Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie) in the lead roles.
Written by game creator Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us is regarded by many as being among the greatest video game stories ever told. The cinematic gameplay coupled with deep, thoughtful character development lends itself nicely to a television adaptation. This month, the show commenced its gargantuan year-long production. We’re already seeing a few behind-the-scenes photos emerge, like this one from cast member Gabriel Luna (Tommy). Now that things are in full flow, new updates are coming thick and fast. The latest detail came from writer and producer Craig Mazin during an appearance on the Scriptnotes podcast. Mazin confirmed that the first season will contain 10 episodes.
All things considered, a 10-episode first season sounds pretty good. As we already know, the debut season will adapt all of the first game, so this episode count gives them room to include everything they want, with some left over to introduce original elements.
Besides Pascal, Ramsey and Luna, other cast members include Nico Parker (Sarah) and Merle Dandridge, who will play the same role she played in the game: Marlene.
What is The Last of Us about?
The Last of Us is set two decades into a zombie apocalypse. The United States is decimated and inhabited by fast, bloodthirsty monsters infected by a fungal disease. Joel lives his life as a skilled smuggler inside an oppressive quarantine zone. However, when he is asked to smuggle a girl named Ellie outside the zone, he ends up caught up in something he never intended.
Ellie is a special case. She carries a bite from an infected, which should turn into one of them, but it doesn’t. She is immune to the disease. As a result, Joel is forced to smuggle her across the United States to a group named the Fireflies, who would study her in an attempt to create a vaccine. But in order to get there, they must travel through miles of dangerous terrain. And they soon learn that it’s not only the infected who pose a threat; the living are out for blood too. While traveling together, Joel and Ellie develop a strong bond and make a formidable duo.
In 2020, The Last of Us Part II was released. Many gamers found it controversial, but it had a rich story. There’s a short prequel, Left Behind, as well. If that’s not enough, Druckmann also wrote a graphic novel set in The Last of Us universe.
The Last of Us has a lot going for it. It’s going to be interesting to see if it can develop into the world’s next post-apocalyptic obsession.
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