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HBO's 'The Last Of Us' snatches IMDb top spot from 'Breaking Bad' with 9.5 rating after premiere

The HBO series, with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the lead, is a post-apocalyptic drama based on the 2013 game from Naughty Dog

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA : HBO's 'The Last of Us' has already smashed a major 'Breaking Bad' record. The post-apocalyptic drama television series, created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, is based on the 2013 video game from Naughty Dog. It centers on the heroics of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who embark on a journey to find a famous gang called the Fireflies, a group of revolutionaries looking to overthrow the American military in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. As they travel across the US to save the world, Joel must deliver Ellie safely since her genetic code contains the secrets of immunity; otherwise, the world could lose the battle against the infected.

According to CNET, the show's premiere was a major success, with over 4.7 million viewers worldwide. The series was the top trending topic on Twitter both domestically and globally. The series quickly rose to a staggering IMDb rating of 9.5, just ahead of the classic 'Breaking Bad'. However, considering this is based only on the first episode, the rankings could change in the coming days. According to a statement from HBO, the trailer and teaser had over 100 million views on Sunday night, and the first episode of the show's accompanying podcast quickly rose to the top of the US Apple TV and Film list.

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While most video game adaptations fail, 'The Last of Us' has proved a rare success by extending some story aspects or omitting them altogether when appropriate. Reviews have hailed the show for making its point without being hampered by video game aspects. Instead of adhering too closely to the game, the program has altered certain significant aspects of the infected. Besides, it focuses on the personalities of Joel and Ellie rather than gameplay and shooting. Fans have particularly lauded the emotional pilot and Ellie's fiery personality. 

"We are thrilled to see fans of the series and game alike experience this iconic story in a new way, and we extend our gratitude to them for helping to make it a success," Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO for HBO and HBO Max content, said in a release.

'The Last of Us’ will return to HBO with a new episode next Sunday at 9 pm EST.