Despite The Last Of Us’ Game Creator Leaving The Show, Bella Ramsey Opened Up About How He’ll Still Impact Season 3

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Despite facing more controversy in its second season compared to the first, “The Last of Us” Season 3 remains one of the most eagerly awaited TV shows approaching us, and it ranks high among upcoming video game adaptations due to the finale’s suspenseful cliffhanger. As expected, the fanbase was jolted when co-creator Neil Druckmann stepped away from the live-action series. However, lead actress Bella Ramsey doesn’t think his departure will significantly alter the show.

Neil Druckmann, the creator behind The Last of Us series, recently chose to leave his role to focus once more on his game studio Naughty Dog’s upcoming sci-fi project. Halley Gross, co-writer for The Last of Us Part 2 and an episodic writer for the TV series, made a similar departure. Both parted ways before the show received its latest Emmy nominations, raising questions about how showrunner Craig Mazin will tackle Abby’s story in Season 3 without their involvement.

Bella Ramsey recently talked with Variety about earning their second nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series for their role as Ellie. This is the first time a non-binary actor has been nominated for multiple Emmys in this category. When asked about Neil Druckmann stepping down before creating the third season, Ramsey offered a calm and rational perspective amidst anxious fan reactions, stating: “Bella Ramsey provides a voice of reason and practicality among the sea of concerned fan responses when discussing Neil Druckmann’s decision to step away from making the third season.

In Season 3, even though Neil may not be as hands-on, his world of The Last of Us remains his creation. We continue to acknowledge and respect the source material and Neil’s creative vision in everything we do. His absence will surely be felt on set, but the essence of his story will live on.

To put it simply, Bella Ramsey’s words seem to come straight from a guide titled “Calming Down Overzealous Fans.” Neil Druckmann’s absence doesn’t mean he’ll lose his impact on Craig Mazin and the creative team as they work on the storylines for Season 3. His influence continues, even if he’s not physically in the writers’ room typing away at a keyboard.

As a movie reviewer, I must admit it’s hard to gauge the extent of conversations between Mazin and Druckmann regarding Kaitlin Dever’s character, Abby, in the second season’s narrative compared to the video game. However, it’s inconceivable that they would construct Ellie’s storyline without deliberating on how specific parts of the timeline might be revisited from Abby’s perspective.

Regardless of whether or not he contributed directly to the third season, Druckmann’s impact on the TV series is undeniable due to his extensive involvement with the original source material. Since he initially crafted this intricate and somber storyline, it’s clear that his influence will continue to be evident in the upcoming season.

How Much Of Bella Ramsey’s Ellie Can We Expect To See In Season 3?

Regarding the trust I have in Bella Ramsey portraying Neil Druckmann’s departure, it’s important to note that if the TV series follows the structure of The Last of Us Part II for Abby’s narrative, Ellie might be featured less frequently. In fact, her appearances could potentially mirror Dever’s frequency as Abby in Season 2.

As a passionate cinephile, I must admit, the Emmy-nominated star isn’t ready to disclose all the intricate details about their character just yet. When queried about the extent of their adored protagonist that we’ll witness on screen, Ramsey hinted cryptically: “You’ll have to wait and see.

I sort of know, but I can’t tell you, I’m afraid.

Absolutely, whatever the actor says now about Season 3 might change drastically by the time it actually airs, according to HBO executive Casey Bloys who spoke with Variety in mid-July. Currently, HBO sees The Last of Us’ next season as a 2027 release, with Mazin responsible for determining if a fourth season is necessary to conclude the story.

While we anxiously await the arrival of Season 3, you can pass the time by streaming the first two seasons of The Last of Us on HBO Max with a subscription.

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2025-07-28 00:38