10 Major Differences Between The Last of Us Season 2 & Part II (So Far)

The Last of Us Season 2 is set to premiere on April 13 on Max, bringing back Joel and Ellie for another season of one of the most critically acclaimed television shows, and video game adaptations, ever produced. S2, which will adapt the second and for the time being final The Last of Us game, The Last of Us Part II, is expected to ramp up the action, emotions, and Infected for an unforgettable season.

With a new season, and a new game to adapt, fans can expect more deviations from the source material. S1 of The Last of Us was as close as any live-action adaptation has come to a 1:1 retelling, but each episode was still full of alterations big or small. S2 is already shaping up in the same way, and numerous deviations have already been revealed through trailers, images, and interviews. Here are some of the ways S2 of The Last of Us is already different than Part II, and what that could mean going forward.

Season 2 Will Introduce Original Characters

Gail Is One Of The Numerous Show-Only Characters Coming To The Last Of Us

The Last of Us is full of loveable characters and terrifying villains. S1 still found room to add and expand the cast in unique ways. The resistance group in Pittsburgh in the game became a resistance group in Kansas City led by Kathleen Coghlan (Melanie Lynskey) and her lieutenant Perry (Jeffrey Pierce, Tommy Miller's voice actor).

S2 will follow suit by introducing new characters such as Gail (Catherine O'Hara). Gail is Joel's therapist in Jackson. Little else is known about her, but her introduction serves as a fascinating opportunity to pick the brain of Joel, who has historically struggled to open up to anyone. Another new character is Elise Park (Hettienne Park), whose role in S2 is unknown and hasn't appeared in any trailer. Fans should expect more original characters throughout S2 and if it's like S1, they will certainly add further depth to the world.

Eugene Will Have His Bill & Frank Episode

A Character Previously Only Seen Through A Photograph

During the prologue chapters of Part II, Ellie and Dina hole up in a seemingly abandoned library until a blizzard passes. There, they discover an old friend and former Firefly alongside Tommy, Eugene, used it as his secret pot-growing hideout. By this time, Eugene had since passed away at 73 to a stroke – the rare soul to pass away at natural causes at an old age.

Showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin saw Eugene as an opportunity to expand on The Last of Us universe in the same way they did with Bill and Frank, leading to the Emmy award-winning episode "Long, Long Time." Eugene will be played by The Sopranos alumni Joe Pantoliano, and the character will also be the husband of the new character Gail. Expect heartstrings to be tugged again for what is poised to be one of the biggest highlights in the early episodes of S2.

Season 2 Will Include "Lost Levels" Content

Ellie's Ex-Girlfriend Will Get A Formal Introduction

For the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PlayStation 5, and now PC, Naughty Dog included three chapters that were cut from the original release. These chapters were still in early development and were very much incomplete, but players could play through them with developer commentary explaining the ideas behind the scenes and why they were cut.

At least one of these chapters will make its way to S2, "Jackson Party." The Jackson Party was the calm before the storm, so the speak. The last bit of respite before everyone's world turned upside down. Part II featured scenes from this party throughout the game, but the "Jackson Party" lost level had this section playable where Ellie could play carnival-type games before working up the courage to enter the barn, where Dina awaits. This was notable as the scene included Kat, Ellie's tattoo artist ex-girlfriend who was only previously mentioned. Kat will be played by Noah Lamanna and will be the first real introduction of the character.

Tommy And Maria Are Now Parents

Having A Child Should Drastically Alter Tommy's Character Arc

One of the most under-the-radar deviations from S1 was the revelation that Tommy and his wife Maria are expecting their first child. This of course never happened in the game, and with the long wait for S2, you'd be forgiven if you've already forgotten about this, too. Trailers do show Joel, Tommy, and Maria all with the latest member of the Miller clan.

Without delving into the details of Tommy's story arc in Part II, his being a father introduces an interesting dynamic to the Part II story. It's unlikely his story arc was removed or drastically altered. At the same time, this means Tommy being a father adds significant weight and depth to his decisions and actions, which can further enhance the character in ways the game didn't do.

Dina Being With Joel At The Beginning Means A Likely Swap Occurs

Tommy Initially Stays Home To Be A Family Man

Tommy being a father does appear to have changed one notable thing for S2. A curious image featuring Joel and Dina was released. The image shows both Joel and Dina riding horses in a snowstorm, likely depicting the early events of the game where Joel is out on patrol.

What makes this photo interesting is that Tommy was on patrol with Joel in the game. This may seem insignificant, but Dina's placement here is interesting as she's with Ellie at this part of the game where they, at the time, discover Eugene's leftover pot-growing hideout. Eugene and Tommy do share a past as Fireflies, so Ellie may be on patrol with Tommy instead of Dina at this point for no other reason than to provide further context to Eugene's backstory. This swap would also develop the bond between Joel and Dina, who shared the screen for, at most, mere seconds in the game.

Jackson Isn't Safe From An Infected Assault

A Battle That's Being Hyped As The Last Of Us' "Hardhome"

It's also possible Ellie is on her own during this beginning sequence. One of the most explosive changes from Part II comes from an Infected attack on Jackson, which never happened in the game. Tommy is seen protecting the people of Jackson.

Mazin, a fan of Game of Thrones, draws from one of the most intense and frightening battles of Game of Thrones, as inspiration for this battle sequence. The Season 5 episode "Hardhome" is heralded as one of the best episodes of Game of Thrones thanks in large part to this end-of-episode fight, which involves White Walkers in a similarly wintery setting. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mazin highlighted that it was not the action that stood out to him but the meaning within it, saying, "What I remembered was how moving and important the things that were happening inside the action were."

Abby’s Backstory And Motives Are Revealed at the Beginning

Moving Up What Could Have Been A Season 3 Reveal

Of all the new characters coming into the show, far and away the most important is Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever). For roughly half of the game, Abby's backstory is left under wraps. Players know little about her or her motives.

A weekly TV series does not have the same luxury. What would take players 10-15 hours to learn would take viewers seven or more weeks. That's assuming Abby's backstory would even get revealed in S2. Druckmann explained, in a presser transcribed by ScreenRant, that the decision to move up Abby's backstory early in S2 was that it helps viewers form an immediate connection with her. They don't get to play Abby during the prologue chapters of the game, so the show has to find another means to connect viewers to Abby. Not to mention the time it would take to get to that reveal risks of viewers being spoiled.

Abby’s Crew In Jackson Appears To Be Smaller

Jordan, Leah, And Nick Are Nowhere To Be Seen