The Last of Us Co-Creator Craig Mazin Talks About Season 2: “This is Our ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Season”
Craig Mazin, the showrunner of The Last of Us, is back with a renewed sense of confidence as he discusses the highly anticipated second season of the hit HBO series. The creative mind behind the post-apocalyptic drama, which he co-created with Neil Druckmann, reveals how the second season takes the story to a whole new level, offering grander action sequences, improved special effects, and a much larger cast.
In a conversation at the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival in Austin earlier this month, Mazin spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how the upcoming season builds upon the success of the first and why it might just be the Empire Strikes Back of The Last of Us franchise.
A Larger Scale and Higher Stakes
The first season of The Last of Us focused on Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they navigated a world ravaged by a deadly fungal infection. The season was a massive hit, earning critical acclaim and resonating deeply with audiences due to its emotional depth and character-driven storytelling. However, season two is set to raise the stakes considerably, according to Mazin.
“The second act is the tough act,” Mazin explains, referencing The Empire Strikes Back, which has become a benchmark for how sequels should handle the challenges of expanding a universe. Mazin points out that the second season is all about characters going through tough challenges, where they can’t be who they once were but aren’t quite ready to become who they need to be. It’s a time of feeling lost. He also mentions that shooting in the freezing cold of Alberta, Canada, which stood in for parts of the post-apocalyptic world, added to the harsh feeling, showing how hard the characters’ journey is going to be.
When asked about lessons learned from the first season of The Last of Us, Mazin emphasized how the production process has become more refined. “Making a first season of television is like building a plane in the air,” he notes. “We learned how to improve our process, which means basically more efficiency. Combined with more money from HBO, we could do a lot more.” Mazin credits the show’s growth with the improved portrayal of the Infected and the stronger performances from the cast, particularly from Pascal and Ramsey, who have now fully embodied their roles.
On a personal level, Mazin shares how his approach to show running has evolved. Drawing inspiration from Fargo creator Noah Hawley, Mazin has made it clear to his directors that he’s going to be deeply involved in the creative process. “I’m on set every day, and it’s important to me to have that constant conversation with the directors,” Mazin says. “If you’re not looking to collaborate like that, this is not the show for you.”
New Characters and Dynamic Duos
The second season of The Last of Us also introduces new characters, and Mazin is particularly excited about the fresh dynamics between Joel, Ellie, and the newcomers. “We introduce more of these duopolies that I love,” he says. Mazin’s enthusiasm for pairing characters is evident, with the show showcasing new and exciting relationships like the one between Ellie and Dina, played by Isabela Merced, and the bond between Ellie and Jesse, portrayed by Young Mazino.
The concept of duos or partnerships has been central to the storytelling in The Last of Us, and Mazin relishes the opportunity to explore these dynamics in more depth. He adds, “Nothing is more exciting, honestly. When my writing day is writing one character talking to another, it’s like magic.”