HBO The Last of Us episode nine trailer teases Ashley Johnson role in finale

The first season of HBO’s The Last of Us is drawing to a close. The post-apocalyptic drama – based on the 2013 video game of the same name – is just days away from its ninth and final episode, with protagonists Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) nearing the end of their treacherous cross-country journey.

The series has received critical acclaim from both fans and critics, with some praising it as one of the best TV shows of all time. It has also attracted an impressive viewership in both the UK and US.

Variety reported that episode eight reached an impressive 8.1 million viewers when it aired in the US on Sunday night, marking a new series high and a 74 per cent increase from the viewership of the series premiere. Co-creators and executive producers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have assembled a stellar cast for the series, centred around Pascal and Ramsey.

READ MORE: Will there be a The Last of Us season two and will it be based on the second game?

The showrunners were also keen to have stars of the video game return for its live-action adaptation. The series has already seen Merle Dandridge reprise her role as Firefly leader Marlene in the series premiere, while Jeffrey Pierce – the original voice of Tommy – played ill-fated villain Perry in the Kansas City episodes.

Original Joel actor Troy Baker also had a supporting role in episode eight as James, a member of a group of cannibalistic survivors living in an old resort called Silver Lake. Now the teaser for episode nine shows the original Ellie actress will also make an appearance in the series.

Voice and motion-capture actress Ashley Johnson – who played the teenage protagonist in The Last of Us video game and its 2020 sequel – will appear in