How many episodes are in The Last of Us season 1 on HBO Max?

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us HBO TV Show
(Image credit: HBO Max)

Anticipation for HBO’s The Last of Us has been huge, and it managed to deliver on its incredible hype. Created by Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin and Naughty Dog director Neil Druckmann, the series stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as smuggler Joel and teenager Ellie respectively as the pair travel across a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by a fungal infection.

If you've seen the episode and want to see how many are next (especially important because of how the season length has changed since its initial order) we’ve compiled a complete guide to the episodes of the first season. While information is still pretty sparse, we do know when each episode will be arriving, how you can watch them, and some of the first episode titles. And don’t worry, we’ll be updating this page too, so make sure to check back weekly for all of the latest information on the ongoing series.

How many episodes are in The Last of Us?

The first season of The Last of Us has nine episodes in total. It was originally a ten-episode order, but that changed during production. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have recently revealed why during an appearance on HBO's companion podcast to the show. They explained that executives brought the first two episodes together to avoid an ending that wouldn't entice viewers to return. 

These will be airing weekly on HBO and Sky Atlantic. However, aside from the confirmation of a feature-length opener, not many more details have been revealed about the episodes, meaning titles and runtime details are pretty light on the ground. 

As soon as these are revealed weekly, we’ll add them to this guide. But in the meantime, check out our breakdown of all of The Last of Us episodes below.

  • The Last of Us episode 1: 'When You’re Lost in the Darkness' – 81 mins – January 15
  • The Last of Us episode 2: 'Infected' – January 22
  • The Last of Us episode 3: 'TBC' – January 29
  • The Last of Us episode 4: 'TBC' – February 5
  • The Last of Us episode 5: 'TBC' – February 12
  • The Last of Us episode 6: 'TBC' – February 19
  • The Last of Us episode 7: 'TBC' – February 26
  • The Last of Us episode 8: 'TBC' – March 5
  • The Last of Us episode 9: 'TBC' – March 12

How can you watch episodes of The Last of Us?

Clicker in The Last of Us

(Image credit: HBO)

Episodes will be airing weekly on HBO for US viewers on Sunday evenings at 9pm ET/6pm PT. For those in the UK, the show will also be simulcast on Sky Atlantic on Monday mornings at 2am GMT, before becoming available to stream on NOW TV after broadcast.

Make sure to read our The Last of Us release schedule for more detail on planning your watching schedule, plus we have more details on how to watch The Last of Us TV series


For what else to add to your watch-list, check out all of the video game movies on the way as well as some of the most-anticipated new TV shows out in 2023.

Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at 12DOVE, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.