'The Last of Us' renewed for second season

The Last of Us may not have seen the last of Alberta.
The popular HBO TV show was renewed for a second season, HBO announced Friday on Twitter.
"The journey continues," it tweeted. "#TheLastofUs will return for another season on @HBOMax."
"HBO has renewed The Last of Us for Season 2 faster than a deadly fungus can spread," Variety reporter Joe Otterson wrote.
News of the show's renewal should come as little surprise, as the series has been growing its audience and racking up near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores – 97 per cent - since its debut episode three weeks ago.
Furthermore, the audience for the second episode jumped to 5.7 million last Sunday, a 22 per cent increase over the 4.7 million who tuned in the first night – a figure that has since grown to 22 million with repeated screenings.
The news was retweeted by IATSE212 Calgary (International Alliance of Stage Theatrical Employees) the union that represents the crews that shot The Last of Us in Alberta for over a year.
The series reportedly spent over $100 million in the province, employing hundreds of people, many of whom were in attendance last week at a screening at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary.
Could a sequel be in the works?
Too early to tell, said IATSE212's Twitter feed.
"No further details as to where it will shoot have been released at this time, stay tuned!!" they tweeted.
Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly announced that Pedro Pascal, the star of The Last of Us, will host Saturday Night Live Feb. 4.
Pascal also stars in the Disney+ hit The Mandalorian, which returns for a third season March 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 investigates | Priest, neighbours issue plea for help for struggling international students in Cape Breton
Cape Breton University has more than doubled in size by enrolling thousands of international students, and critics say the campus and community weren't ready. Watch the documentary 'Cash Cow' on CTV W5, Saturday at 7 p.m.

Afghan women cyclists who escaped the Taliban are chasing their dreams in Canada
After the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan and banned sports for female athletes, Afghan women cyclists are chasing their dreams in Canada.
Unable to leave Syria, mothers of Canadian children forfeit repatriation to keep their families together
In a choice forced upon them by the Canadian government, four mothers have made the agonizing decision to forfeit an opportunity to repatriate their children from open air prisons in northeast Syria.
Recent immigrants more likely to have confidence in Parliament, Canadian media: Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada has released its new report about the Canadians level of confidence in Canada’s institutions, finding that recent immigrants are more likely to express confidence in the media and parliament.
Federal minimum wage, taxes on alcohol: Here's what's changing in Canada April 1
The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 per hour to $16.65, and taxes are going up on gas and alcohol nationwide starting April 1.
A glass of wine or beer per day is fine for your health: new study
A new Canadian study of 4.8 million people says a daily alcoholic drink isn't likely to send anyone to an early grave, nor will it offer any of the health benefits touted by previous studies, even if it is organic red wine.
MP Han Dong issues libel notice to Global News over China interference reporting
Lawyers representing Toronto MP Han Dong served Global News with a libel notice on Friday over reports that alleged he spoke to a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 about delaying the release of the two Michaels, and that he was a 'witting affiliate' of Chinese interference networks – allegations that Dong denies.
Here's what to expect from the Canadian cottage market this year
A recent report from Royal LePage is predicting a drop in prices for Canadian cabins and cottages this year as demand softens from economic uncertainty and low housing stock.
Interim RCMP commissioner would support Criminal Code changes for stricter gun laws
Interim RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme says he would support the Criminal Code changes recommended in the Mass Casualty Commission report to implement stricter gun laws.