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*Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2.*

Following an anticipated thrilling end to season 2, supporters of The Last of Us can feel reassured as additional episodes are on the horizon. The news of a third season became official in April, with HBO renewing the popular show before the airing of its season 2 debut.

In response to the announcement of season 3, Francesca Orsi, an executive at HBO, expressed her great pride in a statement about the exceptional success they believe the second season of The Last of Us has achieved.

We’re ecstatic about the fantastic job done by Craig, Neil, Carolyn, and the entire production team, cast, and crew in creating a remarkable sequel. We can’t wait to continue the emotional journey of Craig and Neil’s storytelling as we anticipate another season filled with emotion and greatness.

It’s well-known that the creators of The Last of Us series, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, have been clear about their intention to produce four seasons. Moreover, Mazin hinted to Collider that there’s a good possibility that Season 3 might be extended compared to Season 2.

When, exactly, will season 3 of The Last of Us grace our screens, and what twists and turns will the narrative take this time around? Gather ’round to discover all the latest updates on The Last of Us season 3!

The Last of Us season 3 release date speculation

A release date for The Last of Us season 3 has not yet been confirmed.

While fans might need a bit more time, as seasons 1 and 2 had a considerable gap of about two years (with season 1 premiering in January 2023 and season 2 in April 2025), it’s possible that the delay between season 2 and 3 could be less due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes. However, we’ll have to stay tuned for further updates.

Actress Isabella Merced, who plays a leading role in the series, recently disclosed in an interview with Variety that she’s unsure about the exact timeline for starting production on season 3, but she believes it will likely begin sometime during the upcoming year.

If the filming for season 3 starts in 2026, it might mean an early 2027 release.

How many episodes will there be in The Last of Us season 3?

At the moment, we don’t have a definite number of episodes for season 3. Yet, co-creator Craig Mazin hinted that season 3 might be more extended in duration compared to season 2.

I was quite taken aback when I learned that Season 2 only had seven episodes compared to Season 1’s nine. Could we possibly see a return to, or even more than, nine episodes in Season 3? At this moment, no additional details have been shared. However, during an interview with Collider, Damon Lindelof hinted at the potential length of Season 3, stating: “There are natural breaks in the story where you can say, ‘Let’s split it here.’ I believe there’s a good chance that Season 3 could be longer than Season 2, given the unique nature of the narrative and the possibilities it presents to us.

The significant impact of Joel’s death is undeniable, making it almost impossible to divert attention from it. It acts as an explosive force in the narrative, pulling us in and preventing a shift towards a storyline involving Bill and Frank. However, this may not hold true for Season 3, as there might be more flexibility available then.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must admit that wrapping up this captivating tale seems nearly impossible with just a third season. Fingers crossed, if fortune smiles upon us, we’ll manage to deliver another compelling chapter and ultimately bring it to a close in a fourth season. That seems the most plausible scenario for now.

The Last of Us season 3 cast: Who will return?

Given that hints for the third season of The Last of Us have suggested Abby as the focus, it’s likely that Kaitlyn Dever will assume a significant role in the upcoming series installment. Debuting in season 2 as Ellie’s adversary following Joel’s heartbreaking demise, there remains much untold story from the initial games to be explored further.

It’s not unexpected that our storyline might change direction, given that The Last of Us Part II game changes focus when you get to a specific point in Ellie’s tale. However, whether or not Ellie will appear in season 3 is still uncertain.

A contentious decision might be made for the show to dedicate an entire season to revealing Joel’s killer, potentially by reducing or even replacing one of its main characters. However, TV history suggests such surprises are common. It’s likely we’ll continue to follow Ellie and Dina, but possibly with their roles becoming less prominent.

It is clear that Pedro Pascal’s character Joel, Tati Gabrielle’s Nora, Catherine O’Hara’s character, and Joe Pantoliano’s character Eugene won’t appear in future seasons, as Ellie killed Nora, Mazin has confirmed that O’Hara won’t be in season 3, and it can be assumed that Pascal, Gabrielle, and Pantoliano won’t return due to their respective storylines concluding.

The cast we’d expect to return for The Last of Us season 3 are as follows:

  • Bella Ramsey as Ellie
  • Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
  • Isabela Merced as Dina
  • Gabriel Luna as Tommy
  • Young Mazino as Jesse
  • Ariela Barer as Mel
  • Spencer Lord as Owen
  • Danny Ramirez as Manny
  • Jeffrey Wright as Isaac
  • Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan

What will The Last of Us season 3 be about?

According to an interview with Variety, Catherine O’Hara revealed that season 3 of the show is primarily focused on Abby’s story, offering a deeper look into Abby’s personal history. It’s uncertain at this point whether Ellie’s narrative will be concurrently presented, but it seems likely that the series will delve further into Ellie’s life post-Joel’s death and her connection with Dina.

Mazin previously mentioned that figuring out the narrative for season 3 is reminiscent of solving a puzzle, explaining to Collider: “It’s not simple. We face the same difficulties in Season 3. They’re enjoyable challenges… However, all those choices are made before I begin writing.

In this series, we’ve got an overarching strategy that ties everything together. So, as you watch each episode, you can trace connections from the very beginning. Essentially, it’s a comprehensive approach that links all parts of the story.

From my perspective as a passionate fan, I can confidently say that the way things unfolded in season 2 was deliberately planned by Mazin to pave the way for season 3. He elucidated this by stating: “We’ve moved into a more conventional cliffhanger style, where we narrate a story and conclude the season with an unexpected twist that promises significant changes. We’ll catch up again when we return and continue the narrative from there.

When considering our actions, we often ponder on what is appropriate given the story’s possibilities and limitations. I’m constantly wondering, “What sets The Last of Us apart?” Our goal is to incorporate as many distinctive elements as possible.

After that, you take action, you form your choices, and generally strive to consider the viewers’ experience and their emotions upon reaching the conclusion. Ideally, our aim is to leave them eager for more when we return for the following installment.

Mazin hinted that there’s more to learn about the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the Seraphites, characters who appeared in season 2 but could use a bit more backstory. “No, you haven’t been given all the details you should have. Yes, those details will be revealed. It was intentional,” Mazin stated.

For enthusiasts of this game, they are likely aware that The Last of Us Part II alternates between Ellie and Abby’s perspectives, as Ellie pursues her vengeful journey. Moreover, Abby becomes entangled in a strife between the WLF and the Seraphites, implying that we may encounter both factions again in the future.

Is there a trailer for The Last of Us season 3?

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can confirm that the anticipation for Season 3 is high, but alas, we’re not there just yet. No trailers have been released as of now, but keep your eyes peeled for updates!

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2025-05-25 17:36