The Last Of Us Season Is The Shows Empire Strikes Back Season Showrunner Says

HBO's The Last of Us returns for its second season on April 13, and ahead of that, showrunner Craig Mazin has said Season 2 is the show's "Empire Strikes Back" season, suggesting a dark turn for the story akin to the second Star Wars movie. He said in an interview that sequels are challenging in part because the characters are tested in new ways.

In the first season, main characters Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) went through many hardships but endured and largely succeeded in their endeavors. They may not be so fortunate in Season 2. In Season 2, "They aren't getting away with shit," Mazin said of Joel and Ellie in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

"I love The Empire Strikes Back, and I think everybody should," Mazin said. "We love that one because the second act is the tough act. That's when everything is challenged and characters go through these moments where they can't be who they used to be, but they're also not ready to be who they're supposed to be. There's a sense of feeling lost. And I love that."