Warning: This article contains information on The Last of Us Part II game, which could spoil The Last of Us season 2.The Last of Us season 2 is set to be based on the second game of the series, but there’s no guarantee that events will unfold in the same way. The Last of Us season 1 timeline was very faithful to its source material. However, the show wasn’t afraid to make numerous key changes to accommodate the story’s transition from a game to a TV show. While the overall narrative for season 2 will also likely remain very similar to the game, changes are inevitable.

The Last of Us franchise is set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has been brought to its knees by a fatal fungal infection that reanimates the people it kills. The undead, known as “the infected,” are nothing more than mindless husks that attack indiscriminately and decay more and more the longer they’re around. The grim nature of the story means The Last of Us season 2 cast is set to endure a huge amount of suffering. The games are written by Neil Druckmann, who serves as a co-showrunner for the Max adaptation alongside Craig Mazin.

8 The Last Of Us Season 2 Could Tell The Story From The Game In Chronological Order

The game’s flashback sequences could influence the structure of The Last of Us season 2

The Last of Us Part II is a game that doesn’t have a particularly linear narrative. While large parts of the story are told in a traditional manner, there’s also no shortage of flashbacks and jumping around the timeline. This gives Druckmann and Mazin a lot of interesting options when it comes to the structure of The Last of Us season 2. While the show could mimic the framework of its source material, it could be more compelling to see the story told in chronological order.

The flashbacks focus on Joel and Ellie’s adventures between the two games, so the first episode of The Last of Us season 2 could easily begin with an adaptation of the game’s flashback sequences. If so, the story would still make perfect sense, and it would delay the death of a certain main character until much deeper in the season. On the other hand, the flashbacks would lose the emotional impact for those familiar with the games if used in this way.

7 Joel May Not Die Right Away In The Last Of Us Season 2

Pedro Pascal could appear in more episodes than expected

The flagship event of The Last of Us Part II happens very early on in the game and is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in gaming history. Joel’s brutal death means he doesn’t get past the opening act, leaving Ellie to navigate the world without her surrogate father. Although Pedro Pascal’s version of Joel will likely meet a similar end in The Last of Us season 2, there’s no requirement for it to happen so early in the story.

There are a variety of reasons why Joel’s death could be delayed in the show. As well as including the flashback sequences at the start, the writers could also deceive fans of the game by placing Joel at Abby’s mercy but then having him escape. Lulling viewers into a false sense of security like this and then having Joel die at a later date would be a cruel but effective way to keep the story fresh for existing fans.

6 Abby’s Perspective May Not Be Shown

Kaitlyn Dever’s character may not be afforded the same chance as her video game counterpart

Huge portions of The Last of Us Part II are shown from the point of view of the story’s “villain.” Players control Abby for almost as long as Ellie, if not longer. This allows Abby’s story to be showcased and reveals that, despite her heinous on-screen acts, she’s actually very similar to Ellie. Splitting time between Abby and Ellie paints a complete picture of the world in The Last of Us, and it’s a technique that may not feature in the show to enhance Kaitlyn Dever’s perfect Abby casting.

Video games and TV shows are different mediums, so storytelling devices aren’t always as impactful when they jump between versions of the same story. Being forced to control Abby in the game is a huge part of what helps the player realize she isn’t the villain she initially seems to be. Simply watching her TV show counterpart wouldn’t have the same impact and may just reinforce the perception that she is evil.

5 Ellie May Head To A City Other Than Seattle

The Last of Us season 2 doesn’t need to take place in the same city

Many parts of The Last of Us Part II take the player to Seattle. However, there’s nothing about Seattle itself that ties it intrinsically to the story. Therefore, the production team could move the events in Seattle elsewhere. The TV show has already shown it’s willing to change settings for parts of the story. In The Last of Us season 1, the Pittsburgh sequences from the game were altered slightly to take place in Kansas City instead. This was done for production reasons but ultimately proved that Pittsburgh itself wasn’t necessary as a location for the story to hold together.

4 Tommy Could Die In The TV Show

Fans of The Last of Us games could have their expectations subverted

Joel isn’t the only Miller brother who could have his fate adjusted in The Last of Us season 2. Although Tommy doesn’t die in the game, the player is led to believe he’s been fatally shot in the head in Seattle. His return later is a welcome relief, but the TV show might not be so forgiving. This is another way The Last of Us season 2 could toy with the expectations of those who know what happens in the game. Killing Tommy when he survives in the game would be an unexpected but impactful move.

3 The Last Of Us Season 2 Might Not Cover All The Events Of The Game

There’s a lot to address in The Last of Us season 2

The Last of Us Part II can take up to 30 hours to complete. Although some of this is gameplay that wouldn’t translate to a TV show, much of it is necessary for the story to make sense. As such, the showrunners could have some tough choices to make regarding what should make the cut. There may just be too much material in the game to fit into one season of television. If the story of the game is split into two seasons to accommodate its length, then it could lead to The Last of Us season 3.

2 The TV Show Might Focus More On Side Characters

Bill and Frank’s episode in The Last of Us season 1 was one of the show’s best

Because the games tend to zero in on the playable characters, such as Joel, Ellie, and Abby, the side characters don’t have much time to develop. The Last Of Us season 1 has already proved the show is willing and able to spotlight certain characters from the games. For instance, The Last of Us season 1, episode 3, “Long Long Time,” focuses almost entirely on a character from the game called Bill whose role was originally rather minor. His partner, Frank, is only ever mentioned by name in the source material.

Given the deeply emotional nature of what happened to Bill and Frank in The Last of Us episode 3, the show will be eager to repeat the episode’s success. Season 2 will have no shortage of side characters to play with from the source material. Two examples could be Dina and Jesse. Either character could have an episode dedicated to them that shows their pre-Jackson lives where they were left to fend for themselves. Doing this for Jesse especially would make his death at the hands of Abby even more emotional for viewers.

1 Bella Ramsey’s Ellie May Not Lose Her Fingers

Ellie’s fight with Abby may not be quite so brutal

The fight at the end of The Last of Us Part II between Ellie and Abby is a feral affair. In a particularly brutal moment, Abby frees herself from Ellie’s grasp by biting off two fingers from Ellie’s left hand. Ellie loses a great deal by the end of the game, and her fingers are the latest in a long line of losses. It works well in the context of the game, but recreating the moment would add an obstacle for Bella Ramsey to continue playing Ellie should events spill over into another season of The Last of Us.