After a few disappointing television adaptations of popular video games, fans of The Last Of Us anxiously awaited the premier of the HBO Max show. And it appears to be a massive hit!
The Last Of Us premiered on HBO Max on January 15, 2023, releasing the pilot episode. It starred Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel, dropping them into a very dark and gritty setting full of danger, both cryptic and monstrous.
The
initial trailer
had most fans excited about the acting and CGI. But would the actual show live up to the hype, or would it be another iconic game-turned-television-flop?
The Last Of Us breaks records on HBO Max
The Last of Us premiere was a huge success. According to Variety, the show had 4.7 million viewers in the United States alone. This made it the network’s second-biggest debut in the last 13 years, only falling behind House of the Dragon. The viewership was also almost double that of Euphoria’s Season 2 premiere.
“We are thrilled to see fans of the series and game alike experience this iconic story in a new way, and we extend our gratitude to them for helping to make it a success,” Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO & HBO Max content,
said. “Congratulations to Craig, Neil and the brilliant cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. We look forward to fans around the world enjoying the rest of the season.”
The Last Of Us’ executive producers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann were also “overjoyed” with the support from fans. They said that the goal of the show was to stick to the game’s “beloved story” but make it for a larger audience. It’s been exciting, they said, to see new and old fans welcome The Last Of us into their “homes and their hearts.”
New episodes will air Sundays at 9 PM on HBO and HBO Max. The season ends on March 12.
Olivia Richman
About Olivia Richman
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.
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