The Last Of Us Prequel Series In The Works, Focuses On Fan-Favorites
Fans of HBO’s celebrated, adored series, The Last of Us, prepare yourself: Nick Offerman recently teased a possible prequel centered around fan-favorite characters Bill and Frank. The actor, impeccably playing Bill in the critically acclaimed third episode of the first and (so far) only season, shared the news backstage at the Emmy Awards. The actor dished that, indeed, there have been discussions about a prequel mini-series.
Critics and streamers could not stop gushing about the storied third episode of the show, entitled “Long, Long Time.”
Fans of the show will know that Offerman recently snagged an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series—an accolade well earned.
Discussing the possible prequel, Offerman conveyed that he and unspecified parties had pitched the project. The actor, ever the comedian, went on to joke that perhaps The Last of Us spin-off will be a musical. While humorous, the line underscores the creative flexibility underlying the potential venture.
Critics and streamers could not stop gushing about the storied third episode of The Last of Us, entitled “Long, Long Time.” Above all, the episode won hearts through its touching, heartfelt depiction of the love story between Bill and Frank (played splendidly by Murray Bartlett).
While joking that the producers only cast him because he seemed like the only candidate capable enough with a shovel, his readiness to reprise the character hints at a promising future.
The Last of Us episode was like a mini-movie, charting the loving, unlikely relationship between Bill, a doomsday prepper who brilliantly survives (and thrives) during the fungal infection spurring the horror narrative. Bill lives alone but well-fed, comfortable, and safe in his mother’s enormous house. However, his solitude is interrupted by the arrival of Frank, another survivor just trying to pass through Bill’s estate.
Bill reluctantly agrees to let Frank stay—temporarily. Soon, however, their uneasy companionship evolves into something deeper: love.
Fans and critics alike praised the episode, lauding its compelling narrative and emotional depth, demonstrating a side of the post-apocalyptic world seldom seen and hyper-resonate.
Offerman, for his part, exhibited a genuine eagerness to return to the role from The Last of Us. While joking that the producers only cast him because he seemed like the only candidate capable enough with a shovel, his readiness to reprise the character hints at a promising future. And, of course, a prequel to look forward to.
Offerman isn’t the only one bent on expanding the series in exciting directions.
The series’ showrunner, Craig Mazin, has indicated his openness to enlarging the franchise’s universe. Although, thankfully, the showrunner stipulated that any spin-offs would need to make narrative sense and receive the same degree of focus and perfectionism the main series does.
Currently, Mazin is busy working on the second season.
Speaking of which, fans can look forward to the show’s next season; it will debut on Max in 2025. Interestingly, and perhaps frustratingly for fans, Mazin intimated that Part II of the show might itself extend into two seasons (a la sci-fi blockbuster Dune).
The actor, ever the comedian, went on to joke that perhaps The Last of Us spin-off will be a musical.
A post-apocalyptic drama series involving major thriller and horror elements, The Last of Us was developed for HBO by Mazin and Neil Druckmann. It was inspired by Naughty Dog’s video game series of the same name and unfolds in a world ravaged by a pandemic caused by a widespread fungal infection 20 years prior. The terrifying infection transforms humans into zombie-esque vessels for the fungus, spurring a general societal collapse.
In sum, the combination of Offerman’s exciting hints and the showrunner’s vocal openness to expansion provides fans much to be excited about and thankful for.
