The third season of HBO's critically acclaimed series 'The Last of Us' premiered Sunday night to a staggering 32 million viewers across linear and streaming platforms, making it the most-watched premiere in HBO history. The previous record was held by the 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 premiere, which drew 29.8 million viewers last year.
The new season picks up five years after the events of Season 2, with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey returning as Joel and Ellie in a storyline that loosely adapts the second half of the 'Part II' video game. Early reviews have praised the show's emotional depth and stunning production design, with several critics calling the premiere 'a masterclass in television storytelling.'
HBO confirmed that the show has already been renewed for a fourth and final season, which is expected to debut in 2028. The network also announced plans for a companion documentary series exploring the making of the show alongside the original game franchise.
