New twists in 'The Last of Us' season 2 with exclusive game content

The HBO series based on the hit game premiered earlier this year and quickly amassed a huge following. Given its success, it's not surprising that a sequel to "The Last of Us" is already in the works. Rumor has it that this new production will feature scenes that didn't make it into the original game. So, what do we know about the second season of the series?

Despite the game's release nearly a year ago, the series continues to resonate with viewers, largely due to viral internet memes. The narrative, set 20 years post-civilization collapse, follows Joel, a hardened survivor. Hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a restrictive quarantine zone, a simple task soon escalates into a cross-country journey across a devastated United States.

In evaluating the adaptation of "The Last of Us," both critics and audience concurred: critics gave the series a 96 percent freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while 89 percent of the audience voted in favor. With fans eagerly anticipating the second season, expected to release only in 2025, production is already in progress.

According to Entertainment Weekly, game creator studio Naughty Dog recently announced the release of a revamped version of the 2020 game scheduled for next year. Reportedly, the PlayStation 5 version will also encompass additional content, including the "Lost Levels" – gameplay footage scrapped from the original 2013 game.

Neil Druckmann, co-creator of both the game and the HBO series, hinted at the possible inclusion of these segments in the second season during an email exchange with the magazine. He cautioned that plans are still fluid as filming hasn't begun yet, and the production team could make changes for the series' betterment.

As per Entertainment Weekly, the "Lost Levels" aim to provide players, and potentially viewers, a glimpse into how the original story evolved. Although not yet complete, it is known they will feature interactive elements, creator commentaries, and an extended party scene in Jackson that will offer enhanced insights into Ellie's life in the city.

Entertainment Weekly reports that the second season will adapt events from "The Last of Us Part II", set five years after the original game's events. Joel, who saved Ellie from the Fireflies rebel group's massacre, now lives in Jackson with his surrogate daughter, Maria, and his brother Tommy. An act of violence disrupts their peaceful life, leading Ellie to obsess over tracking down those responsible, despite the physical and emotional toll of her actions.

Druckmann assures that while the upcoming season stays true to the game's storyline, it will surprise even game fans well-versed with the plot. Both Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey will reprise their roles as Joel and Ellie, respectively.