In a post-apocalyptic world 20 years in the future, the cordyceps fungus has swept through the world, turning people into zombie-like creatures called clickers because of the sounds they make.
HBO’s anticipated new drama, The Last of Us, is based on the PlayStation video game of the same title with this premise at its center. Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian) plays Joel, a hardened survivor who is tasked with protecting a young girl, Ellie (Bella Ramsey, Game of Thrones, His Dark Materials). Ellie has a crucial role to play in finding a cure for the plague that has destroyed society.
The above is HBO’s first official teaser for the show, and its score – Hank Williams’ forlorn “Alone and Forsaken” – aptly sets the tone. It was released on Monday, September 26, which in the game is known as Outbreak Day.
RELATED: Mocean Helps HBO Max Capture ‘The Last Movie Stars’
Besides Pascal and Ramsey, the series also stars Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus), Nick Offerman (Parks and Rec, Devs), Jeffrey Pierce, Anna Torv and Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets, Togetherness). Dandridge and Pierce are both voice actors from the games; two others, Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, also have joined the cast in undisclosed roles.
Neil Druckmann, co-president of video game developer Naughty Dog is co-creator and executive producer, alongside Craig Mazin, Emmy-winning creator of HBO’s Chernobyl. Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan and Rose Lam are executive producers. Kantemir Balagov, Jasmila Žbanić, Ali Abbasi, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb and Liza Johnson are directors. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television, and PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint and Naughty Dog produce.
The Last of Us is set to premiere on HBO and HBO Max next year.
Tags: hbo hbo max hot spots the last of us