2025 Emmy Awards Nominations Announced for The Last of Us Season 2
HBO’s The Last of Us—adapted from Naughty Dog’s acclaimed video game series—received widespread recognition in today’s announcement of the 2025 Emmy Award nominations.
Nomination Highlights
The Last of Us earned 16 total nominations, making it one of the most-nominated drama series this year—though fewer than the 24 nods received by Season 1. Pedro Pascal (Joel) secured a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, despite appearing in only three episodes of the season. Bella Ramsey (Ellie) was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Supporting performances by Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Catherine O’Hara (Gail), Jeffrey Wright (Isaac), and Joe Pantoliano (Eugene) also garnered nominations. The series received a nod for Outstanding Drama Series.
Additional Category Nominations
Beyond acting and series honors, The Last of Us earned nominations in the following categories:
- Outstanding Production Design
- Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
- Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup
- Outstanding Music Supervision
- Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series (for its behind-the-scenes documentary)
- Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)
- Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)
- Outstanding Special Visual Effects
Notable Absences
The series did not receive nominations in Writing or Directing categories. Additionally, many industry observers have noted that Isabela Merced—whose portrayal of Dina was widely praised and central to the season—was notably snubbed.
Official Statement from Naughty Dog
“On behalf of the entire development team at Naughty Dog, thank you to the Academy, and a huge congrats to the entire cast & crew of The Last of Us Season 2 on their Emmy nominations!” said Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann. “To see the story of The Last of Us Part II celebrated and find new life and new fans has been a thrill for our studio.”
Overall Emmy Landscape
This year’s nominations were led by Apple TV+’s Severance with 27 nominations, followed by HBO’s The Penguin (24) and The Studio and The White Lotus (each with 23).
Future of the Series and Franchise
The Last of Us has officially been renewed for a third season, which will center on Abby’s story. However, no official release date or timeline for Season 3 has been announced.
Regarding the game franchise: A recent update for The Last of Us Part II Remastered introduced a chronological mode. Separately, industry rumors suggest Naughty Dog is developing both The Last of Us Part III and a new original IP titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
