You blinked and suddenly, HBO’s “The Last of Us” sat comfortably atop the prestige TV pantheon. Not quietly, either. It practically sprinted up the mountain, clickers screeching in the background and Emmy trophies in tow. But how’d this fungus-ridden saga end up sharing HBO’s Mount Rushmore with titans like “Game of Thrones,” “The Sopranos,” and “Succession”? Buckle up, cordyceps fans, because the receipts are plentiful, the viewership colossal, and the path to legendary status… well, let’s just say it’s paved with spores and very big deals.
Early Renewal Fever: HBO Swipes Right, Hard
If you want a peek into a network’s heart, just watch how fast it locks down a hit. “The Last of Us” premiered January 15, 2023, and before you could even finish sobbing over the premiere, HBO said, “Yep, more.” They greenlit the second season less than two weeks later, which is basically the TV exec version of proposing on a first date. No, HBO doesn’t do that for every show. Yes, that’s a sign of total faith.
But then it doubled down. Not content with just one renewal flex, HBO announced a third season on April 9, 2025—before even airing season two. That almost never happens, unless a network smells not just a hit, but an era-defining franchise. HBO wants “The Last of Us” on its flagship row. And yes, they put their money and scheduling where their mouth is.
Trophy Shelves: Sagging Under the Weight Already
Now, let’s wade through the nerdy but oh-so-important world of awards. Critics and industry folks love “The Last of Us.” Seriously.
- The first season bagged 24 Primetime Emmy nominations, walking away with eight Creative Arts Emmy wins.
- Guest stars Nick Offerman (the one where you wept over strawberries) and Storm Reid didn’t just make you cry; they each got Emmys, too.
- The show racked up two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Directors Guild of America hunk of glass, and a parade of critics’ awards strong enough to form their own settlement zone.
And the second season? The story gets even more fun. Seventeen Emmy nominations dropped in for season two. Isabela Merced, playing Dina, picked up the Astra TV Award for Best Supporting Actress. Jeffrey Wright, now forever known as Isaac in TLOU circles, snagged a Best Guest Actor trophy. These are not just “participation award” wins — these are heavyweight, legacy-cementing honors that make other shows grind their teeth in envy.
Viewers, Viewers, and Oh — Did We Mention More Viewers?
You want mind-boggling numbers? Let’s talk stats.
- Night one of season one: 4.7 million eyeballs tuned in. Nothing to sneeze at — unless you’re allergic to history-making debuts. Only “House of the Dragon” posted a higher first-night rating for HBO in over a decade.
- Hop, skip, and jump two months later: viewership blasted past 40 million.
- By May 2023, notched an average of 32 million per episode. That’s “Game of Thrones” territory, and no, not many shows stroll those heights.
Fast forward to season two. HBO worked its marketing magic and — bam — premiere drew 5.3 million live viewers on opening night. That’s a 13% boost from season one and enough to make HBO execs trip over themselves doing happy dances. By May 2025, average episode viewership cracked 37 million worldwide. That pushed TLOU’s second outing not just past its own records, but outpaces nearly every major HBO drama ever aired.
When HBO says “flagship,” those numbers show they mean it.
What’s Cooking for Season 3: Spore-Proofing the Crown
Season three, already officially renewed, is set for 2027, and fans have lit up social feeds with speculation and wishlists. Thankfully, showrunner Craig Mazin has tossed out a few breadcrumbs. And oh, they’re tasty.
Mazin told GamesRadar in July 2025 that season three will be beefier than season two, closer in size and scope to the debut run. So, more episodes, more story, and yes, more reasons to ignore your phone for hours. He promised “more bang for your buck”, which is exactly what fans want. HBO seems all-in.
But the big news: co-creator Neil Druckmann and writer-producer Halley Gross are stepping back. They’re off launching new stories at Naughty Dog, which leaves Mazin at the sole creative wheel. Do alarm bells ring? Some say yes. But Mazin’s on record with confidence. He’s sticking to the “no filler” storytelling policy and wants to deepen themes, not dilute them.
Ellie, Abby, and a Whole New POV — Season 3’s Big Swing
Season three brings a curveball, plot-wise. Early leaks teased that the narrative would center on Abby Anderson’s origin story, soaking in those events leading up to season two. If you remember Abby’s arc from the games or show, you know… this is risky business. Abby splits fanbase hearts wide open, but HBO seems ready for the challenge. Bella Ramsey (Ellie) backed this move in interviews, even playful about the “critics” who grumble about change: “You don’t have to watch it,” she shrugged to media. But you know most will.
If they nail the emotional weight — if the writing latches onto the complicated messiness that made people rage-tweet and blog — season three could redefine the “divisive but brilliant” standard for prestige drama.
What Makes a Show HBO’s Mount Rushmore Material?
Let’s spell this out:
- Shows that get early and repeated renewals because networks can’t bear the thought of living without them? Check.
- Accolades galore, with hardware crowding every display case? Check-plus.
- Numbers that make ad execs do a double-take and streaming rivals weep into their spreadsheets? Big, flashing check.
But there’s more. HBO’s signature Rushmore dramas do something extra. They get people talking — on Twitter, TikTok, subreddits, everywhere. “The Last of Us” spawned memes, think pieces, all-night debates, and emotional confessionals. The show’s social buzz has been off the charts from launch and has never really cooled. Just in 2025, Reddit’s /r/Thelastofus burst past two million members. The #TLOU hashtag on X trends with every casting update, moody trailer, or wild theory drop.
“Game of Thrones” had winter, dragons, and weddings that left you curled in a ball. “The Sopranos” gave us therapy, ducks, and quotes we use at family dinners (maybe don’t). “Succession” ruled the water cooler. Now, “The Last of Us” serves heartache, fungus, and debates about what makes us human — all with viewership that most shows would kill for.
The Legacy Trail: Spores, Tears, and Maybe a Chisel for HBO’s Monument
If you’re hunting for signs that a show belongs on HBO’s all-time greats monument, you can stop scrolling. “The Last of Us” checks every imaginable box, then adds a few new ones. Fast renewals, awards love, swollen viewer counts — it’s all there. And HBO wants this world to stick around.
But the real test? Season three’s out to answer the final “Can they keep going?” riddle. It’s daring. It’s risky. It’s full of promise. If Mazin & Co. land the Abby expansion, cement emotional stakes, and deliver yet another gut-punch ride, well… get the carving tools out. TLOU’s face belongs up there, next to the biggest and baddest HBO’s ever unleashed — and fans will make sure no one forgets it.
And who knows? By 2027, we might all be ready for Abby’s side of the story, Emmy parties with more TLOU speeches, and maybe, just maybe, an HBO legacy with spores in the marble. Keep those mushrooms close and your expectations higher. This saga’s just getting legendary.
