"The Last of Us" - The end times become a hit series
Nobody could get past this series in 2023: "The Last of Us". The series adaptation of the video game of the same name by Naughty Dog thrilled audiences around the world at the beginning of the year and, among other things, achieved the second-best series launch of the past decade for HBO after the"Game of Thrones" spin-off "House of the Dragon". On the German home of "The Last of Us", Sky, the series can even claim to be the most successful of the year.
According to the company, the first season of the end-time adventure is outperforming well-known competitors. For example, Sarah Jessica Parker's (58) cult character Carrie Bradshaw and her friends only managed second place with the second season of the "Sex and the City" spin-off "And Just Like That...". In third place is the fifth season of "The Rookie". Fourth place goes to the third season of the Sky original "The Pass" and fifth to season four of the in-house production "Das Boot". All series are also available on the in-house streaming service Wow.
Second season and great streaming start
The first indications that HBO might have scored another big hit with "The Last of Us" after successes such as "Game of Thrones", "Westworld" and "True Detective" were already apparent in mid and late January 2023. "The Last of Us" got off to a great start - the second best since "Boardwalk Empire" around 13 years ago. The story about Joel and his quasi foster daughter Ellie, played by "Game of Thrones" stars Pedro Pascal (48) and Bella Ramsey (20), captivated millions of viewers.
As the industry magazine "Variety" and others reported at the time, a total of 4.7 million viewers tuned in to the premiere in the United States. Only the "Game of Thrones" spin-off "House of the Dragon" was more successful, with almost ten million viewers in the summer of 2022. "Game of Thrones" itself only became a mega-hit later, attracting around 4.2 million people to their TV sets when it premiered in 2011. In Germany, too, "The Last of Us" became the second-best non-linear launch ever on Sky and Wow - after "House of the Dragon".
One week after the premiere, 18 million people had already watched the first episode in the USA. The second episode also set a new record for the channel: Around 22 percent more viewers tuned in. This was the highest increase for an HBO drama series in the channel's history.
Less than two weeks after the premiere episode was broadcast, HBO and Sky Germany announced that there would also be a second season. However, it will be a while before the new episodes are released. Due to the Hollywood double strike, there have been countless postponements in the dream factory in recent months. As a result, work on season two of "The Last of Us" has not yet begun. However, showrunner Craig Mazin (52) recently confirmed that the new season will go into production on February 12, 2024.
Coronation at the Emmys?
The success of the series could be crowned in a few weeks' time: The 75th Emmy Awards will be presented on January 15, 2024. Alongside "Succession" (27 nominations) and "The White Lotus" (23 nominations) - both also from HBO and shown on Sky/Wow- "The Last of Us" is one of the big favorites with 24 nominations. One of the coveted awards could then be for Best Drama Series, Best Casting or Best Special Effects, among others. In addition to Ramsey and Pascal, Anna Torv (44), Melanie Lynskey (46), Lamar Johnson (29), Storm Reid (20), Murray Bartlett (52), Nick Offerman (53) and Keivonn Woodard are among "The Last of Us" actors and actresses hoping to win.
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The huge success of "The Last of Us" propelled it to become the most-watched series on Sky Germany in 2023, surpassing even Sarah Jessica Parker's "Sex and the City" spin-off. The series, based on the video game of the same name, also garnered global acclaim, claiming the second-best series launch of the past decade after "Game of Thrones" on HBO.
The ensemble cast, led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, delivered standout performances. The story set in the end times captivated audiences, resulting in impressive ratings, with 18 million people watching the first episode within a week in the United States.
Given its success, it was no surprise when HBO and Sky Germany announced a second season, planned to start production on February 12, 2024. The Emmys may also reward "The Last of Us" with multiple awards, with actors like Pascal, Ramsey, and numerous others hoping to contribute to the series' triumph.
Similarly, HBO's other hit series like "Game of Thrones," "Westworld," and "True Detective" have previously garnered critical acclaim and massive viewership, setting the bar high for "The Last of Us." US audiences mainly watched these shows through HBO, Sky, and their respective streaming services like Wow.
The success of "The Last of Us" demonstrates not only the adaptive prowess of video game productions turning into successful TV series but also the enduring popularity of action-packed, post-apocalyptic scenarios. New seasons of popular shows showcased on HBO and Sky, as well as original productions, keep viewers engaged and anticipating new episodes during the streaming era.
Even while the entertainment industry faces challenges such as the Hollywood double strike, which delays multiple productions, the anticipated second season of "The Last of Us" keeps fans of the apocalyptic thriller intrigued, harking back to Carrie Bradshaw's time in "Sex and the City."
Source: www.stern.de
