The excitement is building as HBO Max prepares to unveil the highly anticipated second season of *The Last of Us*, set to premiere on April 13. Star Pedro Pascal, known for his portrayal of Joel, has been giving fans tantalizing hints about what to expect this season in a recent interview with *Empire*.

This new season is set five years after the dramatic events of the first season’s finale, bringing even higher stakes and intensified character dynamics. Pascal promises viewers will witness a season that is larger, bolder, and will test the survivors like never before. “It’s definitely a bigger, far more ambitious, and risk-taking season,” he shared. “It will further challenge our strength against a world we’re already afraid to be in.”

While the interpersonal drama among the characters will play a significant role, the beloved and horrifying infected will return with a vengeance. Showrunner Craig Mazin has revealed that audiences will be introduced to the terrifying stalkers—one of the game's creepiest enemies. These sinister foes are more than just mindless monsters; they are intelligent and can ambush unsuspecting victims, demonstrating behaviors unlike any other infected to date.

Neil Druckmann, the creator of *The Last of Us*, has teased that these stalkers can "do things that we've never seen any other infected do" on the show, promising a thrilling mix of suspense and horror that fans can expect.

Meanwhile, the show’s narrative will respectfully nod to its video game roots—expect airborne Cordyceps spores and other iconic elements—but it won't be a direct copy of the game’s storyline. Mazin anticipates that his creative choices might stir up quite a discussion among fans.

In addition to the riveting TV series, mark your calendars! *The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered* is set for release on PC on April 3. However, for those hoping for a third installment in the video game series, it seems we might have to wait longer, as no announcements have been made regarding the game's next chapter.

Prepare for a wild ride when *The Last of Us* returns, blending heart-wrenching storytelling with spine-chilling horror that fans adore!