The Last of Us ratings surge to new heights ahead of finale
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The Last of Us hit a new ratings high in its penultimate season one episode.
The eighth episode 'When We Are in Need' aired over the weekend, and according to Nielsen and first-party data, drew in 8.1 million viewers.
That's a huge increase from the series premiere, which attracted 4.7 million viewers and became broadcaster HBO's second-biggest show premiere of the decade.
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The series has been steadily increasing viewers, with the second episode going up to 5.7 million, while the acclaimed third went up to 6.7 million.
Alongside a huge number of viewers, the eighth episode also featured an appearance from Troy Baker, who famously played the role of Joel (portrayed in the show by Pedro Pascal) in the original The Last of Us game.
In the TV series, he takes on the role of James, a member of preacher David's (Scott Shepherd) clan of settlers.
"Look, I thought I was going to be a clicker. So, this is an upgrade," the star told Deadline.
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Baker went on to admit he was "so happy" to get the call to appear, adding: "And then, when reading the script for James, I was like, 'OK, there's a good challenge'.
"I love playing a villain to show you he's not the villain. Because if I can make you like him for just a second, that makes you hate him even more when I need you to. I love that dance. It's very appealing to me."
Meanwhile, The Last of Us star Jeffrey Pierce has revealed that Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was originally in line to play Joel in the series before Pascal got the role.
The Last of Us airs on HBO in the US, and on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK.
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