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

Author: Sophia Mar 15,2025

The Last of Us Season 2 showrunners, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, have confirmed the return of spores, a key element absent from Season 1. A recent trailer for the upcoming HBO series, shown below, hints at their reintroduction. The trailer depicts Ellie (Bella Ramsey) encountering an infected individual whose exhaled breath visibly releases spores.

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.