Neil Druckmann Says There’s a 'Dramatic Reason' Spores Are Back for The Last of Us Season 2

The showrunners of The Last of Us Season 2, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, have exciting news for fans: "spores are back" after their notable absence in Season 1. This revelation comes via the latest trailer for the upcoming HBO series, which teases the reintroduction of these iconic elements from the game.

In the trailer, viewers catch a glimpse of Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected character whose breath visibly releases spores into the air. This moment not only brings back a crucial aspect of the original game's atmosphere but also heightens the tension and realism of the show's post-apocalyptic world.

The trailer was shared on social media with the caption, "You can’t stop this. #TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max," accompanied by a link to the trailer.

You can’t stop this.#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV

— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025

Warning! Spoilers for The Last of Us Season 1 follow.