Catherine O’Hara acts as Pedro Pascal’s therapist in Last Of Us series 2 trailer

Catherine O’Hara appears to be conducting therapy sessions with Pedro Pascal in the trailer for the second season of The Last Of Us.

The hit series, which in the first season followed Joel Miller (Pascal) reluctantly taking teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the post-apocalyptic US to find her safety amid a fungal-based pandemic that turns people into zombie-like creatures, is set to return next year.

O’Hara – known for Schitt’s Creek, and Beetlejuice as well as Home Alone – has joined as a guest star in an undisclosed role for the show, which is set to explore Joel and Ellie’s lives after enjoying five years of peace when the first season’s events ended.

The Sky/HBO trailer, which was released on the 11th anniversary of the fictional date of the cordyceps virus creating devastating affects globally on September 26, sees O’Hara’s character setting a timer and asking Joe to begin the session.

She says: “Let’s try something different, you can’t heal something unless you’re brave enough to say it out loud.

“Say the thing you’re afraid to say. Say it out loud, no matter what it is, No matter how bad.

“What did you do?”

Footage is then seen of what looks like a horde of infected people running in the snow, the zombie-like creatures tearing down fences, someone being dragged along by a horse, and American Fiction and Westworld actor Jeffrey Wright as militia leader Isaac looking menacingly at a beaten-up man.

At the end of the teaser, Game Of Thrones actor Pascal as Joel has one tear streaming down his face.

There are also glimpses of Booksmart star Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and Alien: Romulus actor Isabela Merced as Dina, who both appear in the games as a Washington Liberation Front (WLF) soldier, and a romantic interest for Ellie, respectively.

Also among the cast joining is Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, and Danny Ramirez as Manny – and returning talent includes Terminator: Dark Fate star Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and True Blood actor Rutina Wesley as Maria.

The first season garnered both Ramsay and Pascal Emmy and Golden Globe nods for acting, and the series nominations for the US award shows.

A guest actor drama Emmy was picked up by Parks And Recreation star Nick Offerman for his heartbreaking storyline over one episode of the show, which showed the end of the relationship between Bill and Frank.

There has been regular announcements by the video game franchise The Last Of Us every year on September 26 to coincide with the fictional Outbreak Day.

The trailer is also set to Future Days by Pearl Jam, which is also used in the game.

The Last Of Us TV show is set for release in 2025 on Sky and HBO, but there is no exact date so far.