Left Behind (The Last of Us)

This article is about the television episode. For the video game on which it is based, see The Last of Us: Left Behind.
"Left Behind"
The Last of Us episode
A girl with a backpack stands in the center of the frame as an abandoned mall lights up in front of her, with varying colors.
Ellie watches as Riley switches on the mall's electricity. The background was created using visual effects;[1] critics praised the color and lighting, and its similarities to the game.[2][3][4]
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 7
Directed byLiza Johnson
Written byNeil Druckmann
Produced by
  • Greg Spence
  • Cecil O'Connor
Featured music
Various
Cinematography byKsenia Sereda
Editing by
  • Timothy A. Good
  • Emily Mendez
Original air dateFebruary 26, 2023 (2023-02-26)
Running time55 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"When We Are in Need"
The Last of Us season 1
List of episodes

"Left Behind" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American post-apocalyptic drama television series The Last of Us. The episode was written by series co-creator Neil Druckmann and directed by Liza Johnson. It aired on HBO on February 26, 2023. In the episode, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) searches for supplies to save Joel. A flashback follows Ellie as she spends time with her best friend Riley Abel (Storm Reid) in Boston.

The episode is adapted from The Last of Us: Left Behind (2014), an expansion pack to the video game on which the series is based. Johnson, who played the game after being assigned to direct, was encouraged to take an original approach. The episode was filmed in January and February 2022 in Calgary, Alberta. It received positive reviews, with praise for its writing, direction, cinematography, and performances of Ramsey and Reid; the latter won at the Black Reel Awards and Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The episode was watched by 7.7 million viewers on its first day.

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