'The Last Of Us' Gets Early Season 2 Renewal From HBO

The third episode of "The Last of Us" hasn't even aired, and the show has already been picked up for a second season. Following some record early viewership and tremendous reviews, HBO has confirmed that the sci-fi, post-apocalyptic drama "The Last of Us" has been renewed for a second season.

HBO recently confirmed the news in an official press release. The renewal comes off the heels of the second episode drawing 5.7 million viewers across HBO Max and linear telecasts last weekend. HBO has also revealed that the first episode has had more than 22 million viewers domestically, more than five times the initial audience when the show debuted earlier this month.

Per HBO, the show had the second-largest debut ever behind only  the "Game of Thrones" prequel spinoff "House of the Dragon." The second episode drew more than a million viewers than the first episode. It had the largest increase in growth for any HBO Original Drama Series in the premium cable network's history. Additionally, the show has been a hit across social media, trending across the U.S. and worldwide on Twitter.

The series comes from co-creators Craig Mazin ("Chernobyl") and Neil Druckmann, who is one of the original creators and writers of "The Last of Us" video game franchise and Naughty Dog Co-President.

Speaking on the announcement, HBO Programming Executive Vice President and Head of HBO Drama Series and Films Francesca Orsi commented, "Craig and Neil, alongside EP Carolyn Strauss, and the rest of our phenomenal cast and crew, have defined a genre with their masterful debut season of 'The Last of Us.'" She continued, "After pulling off this unforgettable first season, I can't wait to watch this team outshine themselves again with season two."

The show is set 20 years after modern civilization has collapsed. Pedro Pascal ("The Mandalorian," "Game of Thrones") stars as Joel Miller, a hardened survivor who is hired to smuggle the 14-year-old girl Ellie (Bella Ramsey) through a harsh quarantine zone. What starts as a job soon becomes a heartbreaking and brutal journey across the fallen U.S., where the two individuals must depend on each other for survival.

The first season also stars Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Storm Reid as Riley, and Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker, who previously starred in the original video game as Ellie and Joel will also appear in the show.

The show receiving a quick renewal is not so surprising considering its quick breakout success. The show has become a television phenomenon. Not to mention, the series has been acclaimed by critics as well. The show currently has a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

New episodes of "The Last of Us" Debut on Sunday on HBO. The show is also available to stream on HBO Max. The first season will consist of nine episodes. The show also has an official companion podcast hosted by Baker.