"The Last of Us" is back — and so is Alberta, with its rugged landscapes once again doubling for post-apocalyptic America in the hit HBO drama’s second season premiere.
Episode 1, titled "Future Days," aired April 13 and picks up five years after the events of Season 1, diving into the emotional aftermath of Joel’s controversial choice to save Ellie. HBO has already renewed the Emmy-winning series for a third season.
While most of Season 2 was filmed in British Columbia — including Kamloops, Mission, Fort Langley and Vancouver — Alberta retained a visual presence in the opening chapter. According to Travel Alberta, scenes from Episode 1 were filmed in Exshaw, along Highway 1A, and on Fortress Mountain. The locations stand in for the fictional community of Jackson, Wyoming.
"Episode 1 showcases the raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies," Travel Alberta stated. "All adding cinematic depth to the post-apocalyptic world that captures the province as the perfect idyllic backdrop for a safe haven (for now)."
Among those Alberta locations, Fortress Mountain stands out. Nestled in Kananaskis Country, the alpine site has long been one of Hollywood’s go-to backdrops — previously featured in "Inception," "The Revenant," "The Bourne Legacy," "Brokeback Mountain" and "Jumanji." In the Season 2 premiere, it serves as the setting where Ellie practices her aim while clickers creep closer to their mountain home.
Originally opened as a ski resort in 1967, Fortress Mountain closed in 2004 and now operates as a hub for cat skiing and climate research. Travel Alberta notes that visitors can explore the surrounding area through hiking, canoeing at nearby Spray Lakes Provincial Park, or aerial tours with Alpine Helicopters.
Alberta was the primary filming location for Season 1, with more than 180 locations used across the province — including Fort Macleod, Canmore, Edmonton’s Legislature Building, and Calgary’s SAIT and Mount Royal University campuses. Travel Alberta calls the series the largest film production in Alberta’s history, and one of the biggest in Canada.
Season 2’s tagline — "Every Path Has a Price" — hints at the fallout from Joel’s decision, as returning characters navigate an increasingly violent world. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reprise their roles as Joel and Ellie, alongside Gabriel Luna and Rutina Wesley. New cast members include Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Jeffrey Wright and Young Mazino.
On March 8, HBO unveiled the Season 2 trailer during a "Last of Us" panel at SXSW. The panel featured series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, along with cast members Pascal, Ramsey, Dever, Merced, Luna and Mazino. The trailer amassed 158 million global views within 72 hours — the most-watched for any HBO or Max Original.
"It can’t be overemphasized how proud HBO is for the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of 'The Last of Us' is," said Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of Programming. "We’re thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil’s storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season."
Mazin said the team approached Season 2 "with the goal of creating something we could be proud of," and that "the end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals."
Druckmann described the continuation of the series as a career highlight. "We’re thrilled to bring you more," he said.
Just days after premiering, Season 2 is already earning critical acclaim. Variety called it "gorgeous and harrowing," while Collider described it as "one of 2025’s best seasons of TV."
With Season 3 confirmed, speculation has begun over where the franchise might film next. No details have been announced, but Travel Alberta says additional Alberta-shot locations will appear later this season — though specific sites remain under wraps.
Season 1 averaged 32 million cross-platform viewers in the United States, according to HBO.
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