The Last of Us Season 2 Filming in Seattle

“The Last of Us,” the Emmy-award-winning apocalyptic drama on HBO Max, has kicked off its second season, unveiling Seattle as its primary location. Even though the show doesn’t film in Seattle, fans are excited to explore this new setting.

The TV series is based on the popular video game of the same name, with Neil Druckmann, the creative mind behind the game, serving as one of the lead showrunners. Season 1 followed Ellie and Joel on a cross-country journey, but Season 2 plants roots in Seattle, as revealed in the latest episode.

While the characters haven’t fully explored Seattle yet, the video game portrays familiar landmarks in a post-apocalyptic light. From the iconic Space Needle to the vibrant Chinatown Gate, the show brings Seattle’s essence to life in a whole new way. Even small details like rainbow crosswalks in Capitol Hill make an appearance.

The Season 2 premiere drew in a whopping 5.3 million viewers on HBO Max, marking a 13% increase from Season 1. Season 1 averaged nearly 32 million viewers per episode, setting a record for the largest HBO Max debut season audience ever.

Although “The Last of Us” Season 2 is set in Seattle, the filming actually took place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The first season was filmed in Calgary, Alberta. British Columbia’s tax breaks and extensive production industry make it a hotspot for American TV and film projects.

While Seattle wasn’t the filming location for “The Last of Us,” the city is aiming to grow its presence in the movie industry. In 2022, Washington passed a bill to enhance the state’s Motion Picture Competitiveness Program, increasing funding significantly. With incentives like these, Washington hopes to attract more filmmakers to boost the local economy.

It’s exciting to see Seattle making moves in the film industry, and who knows, maybe one day it’ll be a go-to spot for blockbuster productions!