Image: HBO
The Last of Us is shaping up to be the most critically acclaimed live-action game adaptation of all time.
HBO’s The Last of Us live-action adaptation is set to sweep the Emmys after picking up a whopping total of 24 nominations this week. The series is only the second-most nominated TV program of this year’s Emmy awards season, with drama series Succession pulling ahead at 27 nominations.
With 24 total nominations under its belt across a number of categories such as the highly-contested Outstanding Drama Series, the HBO series is officially the most critically successful live-action game adaptation of all time - though outside of live-action, Arcane still takes the cake for now. The series was even nominated for an ‘Inside the Episode’ making-of series of featurettes uploaded to HBO’s YouTube channels.
The Last of Us was nominated in most of the Emmys’ big-ticket categories, ranging from Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress for leads Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Outstanding Writing for showrunner Craig Mazin and Outstanding Directing for Peter Hoar. Most of the technical nominations were specifically for the series’ third episode Long, Long Time, which focused on Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett). Both actors picked up Outstanding Guest Actor nominations for the episode.
The series also earned nods in technical categories for its production design, casting and costuming. Most of its supporting cast picked up acting nominations too, including Lamar Johnson (Sam), Keivonn Montreal Woodard (Sam), Storm Reid (Riley), Anna Torv (Tess) and Melanie Lynskey (Kathleen). Every aspect of the series seems to have been recognised in some way with a nomination at the Emmys, finally putting an end to the age-old curse of game adaptations releasing to poor critical reception.
Still, nominations are not confirmed wins by a long shot. Succession is a clear favourite at the Emmys after an immensely strong final season, beating The Last of Us by three nominations to be the most-nominated program of the Emmys this year. The White Lotus also picked up 23 nominations, falling just behind The Last of Us. All three are HBO dramas, and even more programs from the network were recognised with nominations, such as House of the Dragon and Barry. Even if The Last of Us doesn’t pick up its fair share of wins, HBO will go home with something to show for its efforts.
The 75th Primetime Emmys is slated to air on September 18, broadcasting wins and losses for all the programs nominated this week. However, the Emmys could be end up being delayed as far back as November 2023 or January 2024, given that the current writer’s strike and an upcoming actor’s strike stand to throw a wrench into things.