‘The Last Of Us’ viewers react to ‘outstanding’ episode premiere

An expensive, long-awaited new series finally debuted in Australia yesterday – and viewers have reacted in spades declaring it “outstanding”.

There were high stakes with the TV debut of The Last Of Us – an adaptation of arguably the most popular video game of all time.

And judging by viewer reaction to the first episode, the series has managed to deliver.

The nine-part post-apocalyptic drama, based on the 2013 video game of the same name, debuted on Australian streaming service Binge on Monday, with new episodes to air weekly on Mondays.

After early reviews dubbed it near-on perfect, viewers and fans alike have now had their say, flocking to social media in droves to declare it “outstanding” viewing:

THE LAST OF US HBO YOU HAVE ROCKED MY WORLD

pic.twitter.com/6Didle3oLE

— Nariman (@slytherinus) January 16, 2023

wild crazy insane bonkers left me speechless other adaptations wish they could #TheLastOfUspic.twitter.com/pTFVMyEWfa

— amanda (@avatonin) January 16, 2023

me after finishing the firet episode of the last of us pic.twitter.com/RdNGYN8OZ7

— averie 25 (@LlTTLEVI0LENCE) January 16, 2023

The Last of Us is outstanding.

Y'all know it's my life goal to make truly great video game movies & this proves it's possible. Sets a whole new standard for adaptations that I hope other creators & studios follow, while having the greatest "zombie outbreak" ever put to film. pic.twitter.com/DlP2Xi0CH5

— Stephen Ford (@StephenSeanFord) January 16, 2023

the last of us first episode THIS WAS DELICIOUSpic.twitter.com/QU1D4sC3mr

— nia. (@verklcmpt) January 16, 2023

Showrunner and the game’s mastermind Neil Druckmann swiftly took to Twitter to thank the show’s leading stars, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, for bringing his vision to life, as he also paid tribute to the fans for their overwhelmingly positive reaction.

Stream The Last Of Us only on BINGE. New customers get a 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly. Sign up at binge.com.au

And exhale! Pedro, Bella you had big shoes to fill. You delivered and then some! Couldn’t be prouder! Craig… you’re okay, I guess (thank you, thank you, thank you… )

And thank you all for the kind words. We read everything! The journey is just starting! #TheLastOfUspic.twitter.com/hEZYZYOdjZ

— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) January 16, 2023

Co-showrunner Craig Mazin, who was also behind the smash hit series Chernobyl, echoed Druckmann’s sentiment on his Twitter page.

“THANK YOU for all the wonderful reactions and passion you’ve shown for the show,” Mazin wrote. “Honestly, we’re all blown away over here, and I’m particularly pleased because I think the series just gets better and better as it goes.”

The HBO series, which reportedly cost $13 million an episode, is set 20 years on from a global pandemic that decimated the human population, after a fungus-based infection burrowed into people’s brains turning them into rabid, infectious zombies.

The Last of Us streams on Binge.

Per the video game, the focus centres on Joel Miller (Pascal), who has spent the past two decades barely surviving as a smuggler alongside his partner Tess (Anna Torv).

The beacon of hope in a bleak existence for Joel is 14-year-old Ellie (Ramsey), of whom he becomes a protector. Ellie is immune to the infection and might be the only key to a cure or a vaccine – but this puts her in grave danger.

The Last Of Us airs new episodes Mondays on Binge

Originally published as ‘The Last Of Us’ viewers react to ‘outstanding’ episode premiere