The hugely anticipated series based on one of the most successful video games ever made is just weeks away, as The Last of Us is finally coming to screens. The Last of Us video game received overwhelming critical acclaim upon its release in 2013, and eventually became one of the biggest-selling games of all time.
It sold around 20m copies by April 2018, according to Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad. Shortly after its release, the game’s writer and creative director Neil Druckmann attempted to adapt it into a film, which was eventually cancelled.
Now, almost 10 years later, a television adaptation is just around the corner, set to premiere on Sky and its streaming subscription service Now. The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization was decimated by a fungus that turns those infected into vicious, zombie-like creatures.
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Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the US and depend on each other for survival.
The series is fronted by The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal as Joel, with the teenage Ellie played by rising star Bella Ramsey, who viewers may recognise as the feisty Lyanna Mormont from Game of Thrones. Also appearing is Mindhunter star Anna Torv and Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman, who play Joel’s smuggling partner Tess and their business partner Bill respectively.
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The nine-episode series – which is set to closely follow the same story as the game – is written and developed by Druckmann, alongside Chernobyl showrunner Craig Mazin. Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla – whose music set the tone for the game – is also returning.
The series was produced in Canada, and is said to be the largest television production in Canadian history, according to Canada’s CTV News.
When is The Last of Us released?
The Last of Us will premiere on Sky Atlantic on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 2am – the same time as its US premiere. It will be available to stream on Now later that day.
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