THE LAST OF US Finale Draws Series High Of 8.2 Million Viewers, Growing Consistently Throughout Season Against Enhanced Sunday Night Competition
The season 1 finale of THE LAST OF US set another rating high on Sunday night, delivering 8.2 million viewers across HBO Max and linear telecasts, based on Nielsen and first-party data. The series is now averaging 30.4 million viewers across its first six episodes, with the first episode approaching 40 million viewers in the U.S. Outside of the U.S., THE LAST OF US is now the most-watched show in the history of HBO Max in both Europe and Latin America.
THE LAST OF US was a hit amongst fans and critics right out of the gate. Debuting to 4.7 million viewers in January, it has shown consistent growth throughout its first season despite enhanced competition from live sports telecasts and awards broadcasts. Sunday night's finale audience marked a 75% increase in debut night viewing compared to the series premiere.
THE LAST OF US Weekly Premiere Viewership:
Episode 1 - 4.7 million (Jan. 15)
Episode 2 - 5.7 million (Jan. 22)
Episode 3 - 6.4 million (Jan. 29)
Episode 4 - 7.5 million (Feb. 5)
Episode 5 - 11.6 million (Feb. 10-Feb. 12)*
*Early premiere, includes data from Friday to Sunday
Episode 6 - 7.8 million (Feb. 19)
Episode 7 - 7.7 million (Feb. 26)
Episode 8 - 8.1 million (March 5)
Episode 9 - 8.2 million (March 12)
The season finale of THE LAST OF US, titled "Look for the Light," has been celebrated as "satisfying and shocking" (IGN) and "gorgeous, evocative" (TVLine). The episode was "executed with a whole lot of heart" (CNN) and set viewers up for "a thrilling second season." (IndieWire). Rolling Stone praised the inaugural season as an "utterly fantastic debut season of television," while The Ringer proclaimed this is "a must-see series."
Tune in to HBO tomorrow, March 14 at 9 pm ET/PT for another chance to watch an all-access featurette detailing the daunting behind-the-scenes efforts that went into the production of the hit series THE LAST OF US. The featurette is also available as an "Extra" attached to episode 9 on HBO Max.
Fans can tune in to The Last of Us Podcast, the series' official companion podcast where host Troy Baker, who plays Joel in the video game, sits down with series creators Craig Mazin (Emmy(R)-winning creator of HBO's "Chernobyl") and Neil Druckmann, the creator of the acclaimed video game, for a scene-by-scene deep dive of each episode. Since its premiere, the series' companion podcast remains in the top 5 on Apple and Spotify's TV & Film charts in the U.S. It reclaimed the #1 spot on Apple's TV & Film chart following the season finale. Esquire has named it one of "The Best Podcasts of 2023 (So Far)" and called it "...the perfect ally for your streaming journey."
A spotlight page for THE LAST OF US is life on HBO Max, featuring behind-the-scenes content and access to the companion podcast, as well as an interactive flashlight to help fans find their next series to watch. The spotlight page also showcases a curated selection of movies and series from 2003, the year the life-altering outbreak occurred in the new HBO series.
Additionally, the first episode of THE LAST OF US is available to stream for free on HBOMax.com.
Episode 9: Look For The Light
Airdate: 03/12/2023
Episode 8: When We Are In Need
Airdate: 03/05/2023
Episode 7: Left Behind
Airdate: 02/26/2023
Episode 6: Kin
Airdate: 02/19/2023
Episode 5: Endure And Survive
Airdate: 02/12/2023
Episode 4 of THE LAST OF US delivered another series high Sunday night, with 7.5 million viewers across HBO Max and linear telecasts. Viewership was up 17% from Episode 3 last Sunday and 60% above the series debut night in January. Viewing is based on Nielsen and first party data. The series has grown its audience each Sunday night with the release of new episodes.
Episode 4 of THE LAST OF US, titled Please Hold to My Hand, showcases Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as impressively malleable performers and is where the emotional stakes are raised, per IGN. The New York Times heralds "Bella Ramseys multilayered performance" in this episode as "so pivotal to this story" while A.V. Club states Pedro Pascal has a chance to spread his wings with glimmers of humor and warmth. Rolling Stone notes its a terrific episode that is essential in the larger picture.
Episode five of THE LAST OF US will debut early on HBO Max and HBO On Demand beginning Friday, February 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT in advance of its HBO linear premiere on Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes of the series will continue to air Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max, leading up to the season finale on March 12.
Fans can also tune in to The Last of Us Podcast, the series official companion podcast where host Troy Baker, who plays Joel in the video game, sits down with series creators Craig Mazin (Emmy-winning creator of HBOs Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann, the creator of the acclaimed video game, for a scene-by-scene deep dive of each episode. Since premiere, the series companion podcast remains #1 on Apples TV & Film chart in the U.S. with Esquire naming it one of The Best Podcasts of 2023 (So Far) and calling it ...the perfect ally for your streaming journey.
A new spotlight page for THE LAST OF US is live on HBO Max, featuring behind-the-scenes content and access to the companion podcast, as well as an interactive flashlight to help fans find their next series to watch. The spotlight page also showcases a curated selection of movies and series from 2003, the year the life-altering outbreak occurred in the new HBO series.
Episode Five Of THE LAST OF US To Premiere Early On HBO Max February 10
Episode five of the HBO Original drama series THE LAST OF US will premiere early on HBO Max and HBO On Demand beginning FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT in advance of its HBO linear premiere on Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes of the series will continue to air Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max, leading up to the season finale on March 12.
Logline: THE LAST OF US takes place 20 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 and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
Cast: Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.
With a 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, THE LAST OF US has been declared "HBO's next big hit" by Rolling Stone, with Variety noting, "one sees the near future in which the show winds up among television's best." IndieWire declared the new series "better than every video game adaptation that comes to mind," with IGN hailing it as "a brilliant retelling of one of video games' most beloved stories" and adding that it "delivers an enriching show for fans of the PlayStation hit, while also managing to stay welcomingly thrilling to newcomers." CNN called the storytelling "absolutely fearless and unflinching, creating horrifying scenarios and moments that can be alternately touching and utterly tragic."
Credits: THE LAST OF US, based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation(R) platforms, is written and executive produced by co-creators Craig Mazin (Emmy(R) Award-winning creator of HBO's "Chernobyl") and Neil Druckmann (creator and writer of the award-winning "The Last of Us" franchise and Naughty Dog Co-President). The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Rose Lam. Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog.
Episode 4: Please Hold on to My Hand
Airdate: 02/05/2023
2 minutes ago, Clarkdaddy said:If season two is going to be based on the second game, I'm gonna tap out after season 1. I don't want any part of the second game or season.
I don't think they are going to get through the whole first game within the first season. I never played the second game but I know what happens to Joel and Ellie...
