Pedro Pascal gives update on filming The Last of Us season 2

The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal has offered an update on the progress of the dystopian drama's second season.

Based on the 2013 video game of the same name and starring Pascal as survivor Joel alongside Bella Ramsey's Ellie, season one of The Last of Us saw the pair trek across a zombie-ridden, post-pandemic America after a deadly cordyceps fungus infects the majority of the population.

The second season is expected to follow the game sequel's (even more traumatic) plot – and Pascal has given a filming update while speaking to Deadline following his SAG Award win for his role.

HBO

"Filming is going amazing," he said after the first two weeks of production. "It’s sort of awe-inspiring the kind of focus and dedication that everyone has going into season 2."

He then added that Ramsey and show co-creator Craig Mazin are essential to the set's success.

"It’s incredible to be back home with them and creatively and everybody, our entire crew, they’re working harder than I could even imagine, even harder than our first season which is close to impossible," Pascal said.

"It’s pretty inspiring and unbelievable and this [win] is because of them."

HBO

Pascal, who has recently been announced as Mr Fantastic in Marvel's Fantastic Four film, added: "And then to be given the space to author what would I have to give and to be under Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann and alongside Bella Ramsey has been really the whole reason it works for me.

"I guess I’m learning something new every day, and I’ll be thinking about it probably for the rest of my life."

On returning to the role of Joel, Pascal said: "Stepping into those boots again, it feels strangely brand new.

"I’ve never done anything like this before that has such original authorship before I ever got to it."

The Last of Us airs on HBO in the US, and on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK.