The series is based on Naughty Dog’s best-selling video game, which originally hit shelves in 2013. And when we say best-selling, we’re not kidding, as the series has sold 37 million copies and counting in the decade since it first debuted. So, not only did it have a huge audience already, but Craig Mazin (“Chernobyl”) and Neil Druckman, the co-president of Naughty Dog, as the chief creative forces behind the adaptation, really managed to stick the landing.
As of this writing, the show boasts a stellar 99% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Yes, HBO had a golden goose with this beloved source material, not to mention a stellar cast with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey leading the way as Joel and Ellie, respectively. That said, video game adaptations are tricky and they could have easily dropped the ball. Now? They have a very well-liked hit show that could easily see its audience grow from here. Mazin and Druckmann had this to add:
“Our focus was simply to make the best possible adaptation of this beloved story for as big an audience as we could. We are overjoyed to see how many fans, both old and new, have welcomed The Last of Us into their homes and their hearts.”
“The Last of Us” returns with new episodes Sundays on HBO, with episodes also available to stream on HBO Max after they air.