Second season of "The Last of Us". Release date updates and lead actress revealed

"The Last of Us" quickly became one of the most substantial HBO hits in recent years, earning a reputation as one of the top-rated video game adaptations ever produced. Eager fans have been anticipating the continuation of the series, which is currently in the early stages of development.

"The Last of Us" premiered its first season in January 2023, exactly ten years after the release of its source material: the acclaimed video game. HBO announced initial plans for a second season early on, yet were disrupted by Hollywood screenwriters' and actors' strikes. Fortunately, an agreement has now been reached, and the development of "The Last of Us II" is once again underway.

Preliminary work for the second season, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, had begun before the strikes. According to the Production List service, the crew is expected to commence filming in just a few weeks. Specifically, shooting is scheduled to start on January 7, 2024. The filming locations remain in Canada, but production will primarily shift from Calgary to Vancouver.

Even more exciting news regarding the second season of "The Last of Us" is the announcement of the actress playing Abby. In the video game's sequel, Abby, alongside Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey), is one of the central characters. Though HBO hasn't officially released a teaser yet, reports suggest that Kaitlyn Dever will be unveiled as Abby in the series.

Dever, 26, is well-known for her roles in series like "Justified" and "Unbelievable". Interestingly, she was initially predicted to play Ellie in the first season of "The Last of Us". Will she join the cast this time around? We will likely have to wait until next year when HBO begins releasing the official teasers to find out.