The Last of Us isn’t just a great video game to TV adaptation, it’s a remarkable piece of television in its own right. You’ll be gripped from the get-go.
The nine-episode horror thriller from HBO lands on Sky Atlantic and Now January 16, and will drop new episodes weekly.
Each instalment will be available in the UK at the same time as its US premiere, playing out at 2am and on demand thereafter.
TLR was invited to an immersive screening of the pilot at the newly refurbished BFI IMAX theatre, and got to experience the Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey thriller on an awe-inspiring scale.
For the London launch event, the BFI IMAX was turned into a literal quarantine zone, complete with Firefly graffiti, slavering monsters, photo ops and lootable vending machines!
The show is based on the hit PlayStation video game of the same name, and if the first episode is anything to go by, follows the source material remarkably closely. The visuals are on point and the score will be familiar; even the dialogue echoes the game!
For the London launch event of The Last of Us, the BFI IMAX was turned into a literal quarantine zone…
For those not in the know, The Last of Us is set 20 years after a parasitic fungus has wiped out civilization, turning those affected into fast-moving zombies, or worse. The opening episode begins with a harrowing prologue that introduces Joel (Pascal) and his family.
Joel is doing what he can to survive in a futuristic Boston run by the authoritarian FEDRA (Federal Disaster Response Agency).
The inaugural season follows Joel’s mission to smuggle 14-year old Ellie, who’s DNA could save humanity, out of this Quarantine Zone and into the hands of the Fireflies, pro-democracy freedom fighters.
Both in setting and tone, it’s not too dissimilar to Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, although in this survival horror, zombies are just the tip of a festering iceberg of monsters. Visual effects, particularly the sweeping vistas of a ruined Boston, are impressive.
The lead duo are supported by a strong cast, including Anna Torv (best known for genre favourite Fringe), Gabriel Luna, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman.
There’s heavy hitters behind the drama too. The Last of Us is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin (responsible for multi-award winning grim-fest Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann (The Last of Us video game).
It may be low on laughs, but The Last of Us will delight fans of dark fantasy. It may well be your next big telly obsession.
The Last of Us origins
The Last of Us video game, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, was first released for the PlayStation 3 in June 2013 and more recently remastered as The Last of Us Part 1 for the PlayStation 5, using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been wiped out by a fungus-based infection. Players control Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie across the country in order to find a resistance group.
The game received widespread critical acclaim from the outset, winning plaudits for its story, characters, and emotionally charged gameplay.
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…
The Luxe Review 
The Last of Us isn’t just a great video game to TV adaptation, it’s a remarkable piece of television in its own right. You’ll be gripped from the get-go.
The nine-episode horror thriller from HBO lands on Sky Atlantic and Now January 16, and will drop new episodes weekly.
Each instalment will be available in the UK at the same time as its US premiere, playing out at 2am and on demand thereafter.
TLR was invited to an immersive screening of the pilot at the newly refurbished BFI IMAX theatre, and got to experience the Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey thriller on an awe-inspiring scale.
For the London launch event, the BFI IMAX was turned into a literal quarantine zone, complete with Firefly graffiti, slavering monsters, photo ops and lootable vending machines!
The show is based on the hit PlayStation video game of the same name, and if the first episode is anything to go by, follows the source material remarkably closely. The visuals are on point and the score will be familiar; even the dialogue echoes the game!
For those not in the know, The Last of Us is set 20 years after a parasitic fungus has wiped out civilization, turning those affected into fast-moving zombies, or worse. The opening episode begins with a harrowing prologue that introduces Joel (Pascal) and his family.
Joel is doing what he can to survive in a futuristic Boston run by the authoritarian FEDRA (Federal Disaster Response Agency).
The inaugural season follows Joel’s mission to smuggle 14-year old Ellie, who’s DNA could save humanity, out of this Quarantine Zone and into the hands of the Fireflies, pro-democracy freedom fighters.
Both in setting and tone, it’s not too dissimilar to Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, although in this survival horror, zombies are just the tip of a festering iceberg of monsters. Visual effects, particularly the sweeping vistas of a ruined Boston, are impressive.
The lead duo are supported by a strong cast, including Anna Torv (best known for genre favourite Fringe), Gabriel Luna, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman.
There’s heavy hitters behind the drama too. The Last of Us is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin (responsible for multi-award winning grim-fest Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann (The Last of Us video game).
It may be low on laughs, but The Last of Us will delight fans of dark fantasy. It may well be your next big telly obsession.
The Last of Us origins
The Last of Us video game, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, was first released for the PlayStation 3 in June 2013 and more recently remastered as The Last of Us Part 1 for the PlayStation 5, using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been wiped out by a fungus-based infection. Players control Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie across the country in order to find a resistance group.
The game received widespread critical acclaim from the outset, winning plaudits for its story, characters, and emotionally charged gameplay.
Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
Licensed to thrill: The Macallan marks Diamonds Are Forever with 55th anniversary Bond whisky
The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…
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