The Last of Us: first footage revealed for live-action HBO adaptation

HBO has revealed the first footage of next year’s much-anticipated adaptation of The Last of Us.

The footage came at the end of a preview reel of fellow upcoming HBO programs and includes the first glimpse of the characters Joel (Pedro Pascal), Ellie (Bella Ramsey), Sarah (Nico Parker), and Bill (Nick Offerman). Other highlighted aspects of the footage include its locations and production design, both aimed to capture the atmosphere of the video game.

HBO’s official plot synopsis: “The series 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, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.”

The series is developed by Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin (this guy sure loves barren wastelands!), and Naughty Dog co-president/The Last of Us game co-director/writer Neil Druckmann. Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us and its sequels are consistently ranked among the greatest video games ever. Naughty Dog’s Uncharted was adapted this year.

HBO’s reel also shows footage of new show The Idol, upcoming limited series The White House Plumbers and fresh episodes of Barry, Winning Time and The Sex Lives of College Girls, in addition to several others.

The cast’s television output is quite impressive. Pascal’s roles on Game of Thrones, Narcos and The Mandalorian have made him one of the most sought–and highest paid–actors on TV; Ramsey recurred on Game of Thrones and headlines Netflix cartoon Hilda; Offerman co-led Parks and Recreation and delightful competition show Making It–and probably woodworked 80% of The Last of Us’s set.

The Last of Us will premiere on HBO in 2023.