The Last of Us Showrunners Aren’t Ruling Out Joel’s Return in Season 3

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The creators of “The Last of Us” haven’t completely dismissed the possibility of more appearances by Joel in Season 3. The show is known for drawing viewers into emotional connections with characters, only to tragically take them away. This was a recurring theme throughout Season 1, effectively illustrating the harshness of the world portrayed. However, even those who hadn’t played the games might have been taken aback by Joel’s gruesome demise in the second episode of Season 2. Although Joel reappears through flashbacks later in the season, he is no longer part of the current narrative.

Pedro Pascal was undeniably popular among fans of the series, and his fame has skyrocketed since then, with roles in Marvel and Star Wars, as well as other high-profile projects. Given his busy schedule, it’s unlikely he could dedicate the next decade to a TV show. When he joined the cast, Pascal was aware that his commitment was primarily for the first season. However, there might be a possibility of his return in a future season. This information was shared by Pascal himself in an interview with Entertainment Weekly earlier this year.

The Last of Us Could Bring Back Pedro Pascal as Joel in Future Seasons

In the progression of “The Last of Us” Season 3, fans are pondering about Ellie’s future. If the series adheres to the game, Ellie might not have a significant role. Some speculate whether Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, could still be alive, and surprisingly, the show creators aren’t dismissing this possibility. During a press conference, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin were asked about delving into the undisclosed years of Joel and Tommy following Sarah’s death. Druckmann hinted that sometimes it’s more intriguing to leave certain aspects as mysteries, but he and Mazin aren’t averse to including an episode centered around Tommy and Joel if it fits well with the storyline.

Mazin stated that they delved quite deeply into depicting moments from that particular timeframe. Neil’s assumption seems correct; they might return in the future. This season was challenging because it was heavily influenced by a traumatic event (Joel’s death), which left less room for exploration of secondary events. However, next season could offer more freedom to explore different aspects. As fans of unexpected detours, like an adventure in Indonesia, they might consider taking a trip to Joel and Tommy’s past exploits, although the specifics remain uncertain.

Only time will reveal how things unfold with The Last of Us Season 3. Given Pedro Pascal’s current commitments to the Avengers films, which have recently experienced significant delays, it’s uncertain whether he’ll be able to participate. However, considering that part of the game’s narrative hinges on the audience experiencing Joel’s absence, his return might not be beneficial. It’s more impactful for us to feel his loss if he remains absent from the story, though it would be surprising if we don’t see him again before the series concludes.

Do you want Joel to return in The Last of Us? Let me know in the comments!

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2025-06-01 17:42