Excitement in the gaming community is at a high due to The Last of Us being adapted into a TV series for HBO. The storyline of the games is such that fans are expecting an emotional show filled with elements of horror and survival, along with strong chemistry between actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who will play Joel and Ellie, respectively.
Before The Last of Us series makes its eagerly anticipated TV debut, viewers need to get in the right frame of mind, which can only happen by checking out TV shows with related themes. Some of these are a similar genre or share plot elements with The Last of Us while others either feature actors that will appear in the series.
Narcos (2015-2017)
In Narcos, the DEA attempts to take down drug lord Pablo Escobar, only to find their path blocked by Escobar’s ruthless tactics and cunning strategy. Even after tackling the Escobar situation, the Cali Cartel’s rise keeps the DEA searching for answers.
This Netflix series is the one that truly put Pedro Pascal on the map, as he appeared in the lead role as Javier Peña, a DEA agent with firm conviction and solid drive. The Last of Us viewers need to check out the actor's turn here, as it sees his character tackle situations that put his ethical integrity on the line.
Supernatural (2005-2020)
Raised as hunters of the supernatural, the Winchester brothers look to take down monsters and the forces of evil to make the world a safer place. In their adventures, they cultivate numerous friendships, experience heartbreak, and go up against incredibly powerful enemies.
The Last of Us is certain to feature gritty situations that will test the relationship between Joel and Ellie, and the theme of family is exactly what Supernatural is about. The lead pair faces all kinds of monstrous foes, with more than their fair share of dubious decisions that sometimes blurs the lines between good and evil.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020- )
A decade after the zombie apocalypse, the first teenagers to be raised in this environment venture into the new world. With the harsh reality taking over them, the characters realize there’s no such thing as good or bad in the zombie apocalypse.
This series will allow viewers to become accustomed to the climate of the world in The Last of Us. It’s a much more intimate setting than the flagship series, as the show focuses on the relationships between the likable characters and how the backdrop influences their turns as protagonists or antagonists.
The Last Ship (2014-2018)
When the majority of the world’s population perishes due to a pandemic, a ship full of survivors heads into the unknown to find a cure and survive in a bid to save the future of humanity. With resources running low and a cloud of uncertainty, their chances keep getting worse.
A bleak future is to be expected on The Last of Us, which The Last Ship not only teases at frequently but shows the characters facing head-on. It has just as many uplifting themes as there are apocalyptic, finding a good balance between the dystopian setting and action-adventure.
Freakish (2016-2017)
Students gathered for detention are in for the fight of their lives when a chemical explosion turns people into zombies that are out to get them. With their lack of experience and the sudden arrival of these monsters, the students band together to find a way out.
The reason to watch Freakish is to see a different type of zombie species, with the ones here being a metaphor for teen angst coming alive. It’s a silly yet entertaining series that mixes teen drama with its horror setting.
Extinct (2017)
Four centuries after aliens wiped out humans from the world, three people are revived in order to restart the race once again. However, there are still some aliens remaining who are out to get them and put an end to humans once and for all.
A futuristic setting with alien threats, Extinct is still a show that’s about survival at its core, along with bringing characters who bond even in such times of distress. Before The Last of Us, brings in the same kind of themes, this series will be a great way to see how such a topic is tackled in a different genre.
Jericho (2006-2008)
The town of Jericho is one of the surviving places after a nuclear attack leaves most of the major cities of the United States completely vaporized. However, the townsfolk soon realize that there’s more than meets the eye, all the while attempting to survive with limited resources.
The series has aged very well in the long-run, as the idea of survival in an enclosed setting leaves room for creative ways to build tension. It’s this tension that should be experienced by viewers before checking out The Last of Us.
The Leftovers (2014-2017)
A supposed rapture leads to the disappearance of 140 million people, with the world rapidly changing due to the revelation of the rejection of most people on Earth. The Garvey family tries to get back to normal life, which proves difficult when the impact of the rapture begins to be felt.
While the plot makes more sense in the book, The Leftovers keeps the intrigue alive throughout its run in a mixture of drama, science fiction, and thriller. The topic of love and loss is the most one can derive from the show, which is magnified in the context of such a mass departure of the human population.
The Worst Witch (2017-2020)
Mildred Hubble is a young girl who discovers that she has witch powers. She subsequently joins an academy that educates other witches, where she tries — and often fails — to fit in and excel at her education.
The series can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the original 1998 series, and The Last of Us fans need to check it out due to lead Bella Ramsey being the main actor here as well. She portrays a measure of preteen angst, which gives some layers to this otherwise lighthearted fantasy drama. The series is worth a watch to see Ramsey's acting range.
The Mandalorian (2019- )
A bounty hunter in space is tasked by Imperial forces to capture the child Grogu. However, he quickly grows a conscience and an attachment to Grogu as they are chased around the galaxy by forces that seek Grogu’s power.
It might not seem like it, but The Mandalorian is the perfect show to watch right before The Last of Us. This comes down to Pedro Pascal playing the lead character, along with the dynamic between the Mandalorian and Grogu. The relationship between the two can be likened to the one between Joel and Ellie in the games.