The heart of Sydney was thrown into cinematic chaos last night as the State Theatre was transformed into a decaying, post-apocalyptic world to host the Australian premiere of “The Last of Us” Season 2 — and mark the official arrival of Warner Bros. Discovery’s global streaming platform Max in Australia.
Blurring the line between fiction and reality, the landmark venue became an immersive set piece evocative of the HBO Original drama, with cast members from both “The Last of Us” and fellow juggernaut series “The White Lotus” walking the red carpet in front of crumbling set design and dilapidated signage that mirrored the dystopian world of the show. Stars in attendance included Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), Young Mazino (Jesse) and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac), as well as “The White Lotus” cast members Patrick Schwarzenegger, Leslie Bibb, Natasha Rothwell and Morgana O’Reilly, who also feature in the third season of the award-winning satire.
“The Last of Us” Season 2, premiering April 14 on Max, follows the runaway success of the show’s debut season, which became one of the most-watched HBO series of all time. The first look at the new season amassed over 158 million views in its first three days across platforms, confirming the show’s status as a global phenomenon. Adapted from the critically acclaimed video game series, the new episodes continue to expand its world, with new characters and darker twists ahead.
Meanwhile, the third season of “The White Lotus,” set in Thailand, has continued its cultural dominance, ranking as the No. 1 title on Max in both the U.S. and globally. The entire season is now available to stream in Australia, ahead of the finale airing April 7.
The launch of Max in Australia brings together the full slate of Warner Bros. Discovery brands — including HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, the DC Universe, Harry Potter, Discovery content, Cartoon Network, HGTV and more — under one roof for the first time. With the expansion, local audiences now have access to prestige dramas like “Succession,” “True Detective: Night Country,” and “Euphoria,” alongside fan favourites like “Game of Thrones,” “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos.”
“Max represents the next evolution of our streaming experience,” said Warner Bros. Discovery in a statement. “It’s about bringing together our most iconic storytelling brands into a single destination where viewers can immerse themselves in everything from groundbreaking drama to real-life docuseries, sport, animation and beyond.”
Subscriptions are available now at www.max.com, with content available to stream via mobile devices, gaming consoles, tablets and smart TVs.
As the stars celebrated the premiere, Bella Ramsey shared insights about the new season, promising an “intense and complex” narrative. “This season is adrenaline-packed and emotional,” she told news.com.au at the premiere. Ramsey elaborated that the new season offers “a deeper exploration of what humans will do when faced with intense love and intense loss.”
Isabela Merced, who plays Dina, echoed this sentiment, noting that Season 2 “centres on love in its many forms and what it’s like even in the absence of it.” The actress, who previously visited Australia while filming “Dora and the Lost City of Gold,” expressed her excitement about returning to the country, reminiscing about her time spent at Bronte Beach.
Patrick Schwarzenegger, who is part of “The White Lotus” cast, also attended the premiere. He remarked on the immense popularity of the show in Australia, saying, “I actually am shocked, I just can’t believe how big the show is here.” The finale of “The White Lotus” is set to air on April 7, 2025, and fans are eagerly awaiting its conclusion.
Both shows have already produced record-breaking numbers globally and in the U.S., with the trailer for “The Last of Us” Season 2 amassing more than 158 million global views across platforms in its first three days. The White Lotus (season three) has also broken viewership records in the U.S. and has been the #1 title on Max both globally and in the U.S.
As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere was electric, with fans and attendees alike buzzing with anticipation. The transformation of the State Theatre into a post-apocalyptic scene was a fitting tribute to the show’s themes and aesthetics. The event marked not just a celebration of the series but also the launch of Max, which promises to deliver a wide array of content to Australian audiences.
“Max is the new streaming home of Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium slate of content and brands, bringing together the highest quality entertainment from HBO, Warner Bros., Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Discovery, Cartoon Network, HGTV and more,” the company stated. Australians can now enjoy groundbreaking series, blockbuster movies, beloved franchises, and real-life hits all in one place for the first time.
The buzz surrounding the premiere of “The Last of Us” Season 2 and the launch of Max reflects the growing appetite for high-quality streaming content in Australia. As viewers prepare for the return of their favorite shows, the anticipation is palpable, and the excitement for the future of streaming in the country continues to grow.
With the premiere just days away, fans are counting down to April 14, 2025, when “The Last of Us” Season 2 will finally be available for streaming. The event in Sydney was a fitting celebration of what’s to come, leaving fans eager for more thrilling episodes and unforgettable storytelling.
