Scripted series · HBO
The Last of Us
Every path has a price.
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
Bella Ramsey
Ellie Williams
16 eps
Gabriel Luna
Tommy Miller
9 eps
Isabela Merced
Dina
7 eps
Young Mazino
Jesse
7 eps
Pedro Pascal
Joel Miller
13 eps
John Hannah
Dr. Newman - Scientist #2
1 eps
Josh Brener
Murray
1 eps
Christopher Heyerdahl
Dr. Schoenheist - Scientist #1
1 eps
Brad Leland
Mr. Adler
1 eps
Marcia Bennett
Mrs. Adler
1 eps
Brendan Fletcher
Robert
1 eps
Jerry Wasserman
Abe
1 eps
Wendy Gorling
Nana
1 eps
Jessica Belbin
Mrs. Lauterstein
1 eps
Haysam Kadri
Nasir
1 eps
Sarah Himadeh
Tahira
1 eps
Caitlin Howden
Denise
1 eps
Max Montesi
Lee
1 eps
Natasha Mumba
Kim
1 eps
Gina Louise Phillips
Medic
1 eps
Taylor St. Pierre
Buzzcut
1 eps
Ryan D. Clarke
Soldier
1 eps
Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah
Kind FEDRA Soldier
1 eps
Logan Pierce
The Boy
1 eps
Corina Akeson
Sooty Faced Woman
1 eps
Jason Burkart
FEDRA Foreman
1 eps
Andrea Greening
FEDRA Officer
1 eps
Arran Henn
Newscaster
1 eps
Anna Torv
Tess
3 eps
Nick Offerman
Bill
1 eps
Murray Bartlett
Frank
1 eps
Christine Hakim
Dr. Ratna Pertiwi
1 eps
Jeffrey Pierce
Perry
2 eps
Keivonn Woodard
Sam Burrell
2 eps
John Getz
Dr. Edelstein
2 eps
Olivier Ross-Parent
Museum Clicker
2 eps
Merle Dandridge
Marlene
2 eps
Nico Parker
Sarah Miller
2 eps
Melanie Lynskey
Kathleen Coghlan
2 eps
Lamar Johnson
Henry Burrell
3 eps
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How The Last of Us actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
The Last of Us reads strongest on Character Depth, Bingeability and Emotional Weight.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
Twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed, Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the United States and depend on each other for survival.
The run
Seasons
2 seasons · 16 episodes.
Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
20239 episodes
7.7IMDbAfter a global pandemic destroys civilization, a hardened survivor takes charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity's last hope.
Best episode · S01E01 When You're Lost in the Darkness
Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
20257 episodes
6.6IMDbAfter five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie's collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.
Best episode · S02E02 Through the Valley
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S01E01 · Signature episode
When You're Lost in the Darkness
2003. As a parasitic fungal outbreak begins to ravage the country and the world, Joel Miller attempts to escape the escalating chaos with his daughter and brother. Twenty years later, a now hardened Joel and his partner Tess fight to survive under a totalitarian regime, while the insurgent Fireflies harbor a teenage girl with a unique gift.
- Directed by Craig Mazin
- Written by Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
S01E05 · Signature episode
Endure and Survive
On the streets of a newly free Kansas City, Henry fights to protect his brother Sam from rebel soldiers who will stop at nothing to appease their ruthless leader. As her manhunt continues, Kathleen doubles down on her quest for revenge, while Ellie forms a meaningful friendship.
- Directed by Jeremy Webb
- Written by Craig Mazin
S01E02 · Signature episode
Infected
In 2003, an Indonesian scientist makes a devastating discovery. In 2023, now outside of the quarantine zone, Joel and Tess clash over Ellie's fate as they navigate a long-abandoned Boston overrun with Infected.
- Directed by Neil Druckmann
- Written by Craig Mazin
S01E06 · Signature episode
Kin
After months of traveling, Joel and Ellie receive a grave warning about what lies ahead. Later, Ellie learns more about Joel's past – while Joel tries his best to forget.
- Directed by Jasmila Žbanić
- Written by Craig Mazin
S01E08
When We Are in Need
After crossing paths with a vengeful group of survivors, Ellie's fighting spirit draws unwanted attention from its leader. Still battling for his life, a weakened Joel faces off with a hunting party out for blood.
- Directed by Ali Abbasi
- Written by Craig Mazin
S01E09 · Signature episode
Look for the Light
After being pursued by Infected, a pregnant Anna places her trust in a lifelong friend. Years later, Ellie is forced to grapple with the emotional toll of her journey, while Joel faces a devastating decision of his own.
- Directed by Ali Abbasi
- Written by Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S02E07
Convergence
- Directed by Nina Lopez-Corrado
- Written by Neil Druckmann, Halley Wegryn Gross
S02E06
The Price
- Directed by Neil Druckmann
- Written by Neil Druckmann, Halley Wegryn Gross
S02E05
Feel Her Love
- Directed by Stephen Williams
- Written by Craig Mazin
S02E02
Through the Valley
- Directed by Mark Mylod
- Written by Craig Mazin
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
Neil Druckmann
Showrunner
Craig Mazin
Creator
Asad Qizilbash
Executive producer
Carter Swan
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Rose Lam
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Cecil O'Connor
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Jacqueline Lesko
Executive producer
Evan Wells
Executive producer
Carolyn Strauss
Executive producer
Halley Wegryn Gross
Writer
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Julie HerrinProducer
- Asad QizilbashExecutive Producer
- Carter SwanExecutive Producer
- Allen Marshall PalmerProducer
- Neil DruckmannExecutive Producer
- Rose LamExecutive Producer
Writing
- Neil DruckmannWriter
- Halley Wegryn GrossWriter
- Craig MazinWriter
Direction
- Jasmila ŽbanićDirector
- Jeremy WebbDirector
- Kate HerronDirector
- Neil DruckmannDirector
- Nina Lopez-CorradoDirector
- Liza JohnsonDirector
Cinematography
- Catherine GoldschmidtDirector of Photography
- Nadim CarlsenDirector of Photography
- Ksenia SeredaDirector of Photography
- Christine A. MaierDirector of Photography
- Eben BolterDirector of Photography
Music
- David FlemingOriginal Music Composer
- Gustavo SantaolallaOriginal Music Composer
Recognition
Awards
3 wins · 2 nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards
1 win · latest 2023
- WinnerPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design2023
The Last of Us · The Last of Us
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
1 win · latest 2024
- WinnerHugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form2024
The Last of Us · The Last of Us
The Game Awards − Best Adaptation
1 win · 1 nomination · latest 2023
- WinnerThe Game Awards − Best Adaptation2023
The Last of Us · The Last of Us
- NomineeThe Game Awards − Best Adaptation2025
The Last of Us · The Last of Us
Golden Joystick Awards − Best Game Adaptation
No wins yet · 1 nomination
- NomineeGolden Joystick Awards − Best Game Adaptation2025
The Last of Us · The Last of Us
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- Amazon VideoBuy
- Apple TV StoreBuy
- HBO Max Amazon ChannelStreaming
- Google Play MoviesBuy
- Fandango At HomeBuy
- YouTube TVStreaming
- Spectrum On DemandStreaming
- HBO MaxStreaming
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Never stop watching
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