I’ve Been An Avid The Last Of Us Fan, But The Creator’s Exit Isn’t The Only Thing That Concerns Me With Season 3

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It’s not just the departure of a co-creator from one of HBO’s biggest hits in recent years that worries me for The Last of Us Season 3, but…)

Speaking candidly, if you recognize me, you’re well aware that I’m deeply fond of “The Last of Us”. This affection has been steadfast for a good ten years now, though acknowledging that fact may make me seem older. However, let me express that my admiration for this series is immense. Thus, when news of the upcoming series broke in 2020, I found myself among the earliest to start eagerly marking off the days until its debut.

However, it has been revealed that one of the creative minds behind the series, Neil Druckmann, is moving on, which I believe could lead to unfavorable outcomes. Yet, my concerns run deeper as I will elaborate further.

First Off, I’m Still Going To Watch The Show No Matter What

There’s one thing about me that I tell everyone, and that is that I am loyal.

Regardless of the events that have unfolded within the series or the number of times it has been rebooted, if I’m a fan of the franchise, I’ll continue to back it until its conclusion – and that’s exactly what I did for all eleven seasons of The Walking Dead. Similarly, I stuck with The 100, one of CW’s finest shows before its unconventional final season. Likewise, come what may to the narrative in The Last of Us, my loyalty remains steadfast.

Even if the idea of it hurts me.

To be honest, I haven’t minded the alterations The Last of Us has brought about. Even though Jesse’s return felt a bit peculiar in Season 2, I’ve generally been on board with the plot developments, character arcs, and such. I must admit, I’ve relished the deeper exploration of Ellie and Dina’s bond. And let me tell you, I can’t get enough of the glimpses into Jackson we’ve been getting.

Regardless of my eagerness for change, it’s hard not to feel concerned when a creative figure departs from a series. However, nothing compares to the intense alarm I feel with the potential departure of the main creator.

However, Neil Druckmann’s Departure — As Well As Halley Gross’ — Has Me Super Concerned

In July 2025, Deadline verified the report about Neil Druckmann’s departure, meaning he won’t be involved in scriptwriting or direction for any future episodes of Season 3 of The Last of Us.

As a film critic, I must admit that while I’m not entirely shocked by Neil Druckmann’s departure, it does give me cause for concern. After all, Druckmann has been synonymous with “The Last of Us” since its debut, shaping this beloved video game franchise from the ground up.

However, it’s no secret that he’s faced a fair share of fan backlash over some of his narrative choices throughout the series. So, although I’ll miss his creative input, I understand the reasons behind his decision to step away.

In my opinion, most of the narrative choices made in his series, such as Joel’s death in Season 2 and the addition of Lev in the games, I support. It’s likely we’ll encounter Lev in Season 3. However, the creator has chosen to move on, giving him more time to focus on other endeavors within Naughty Dog, the game studio where Druckmann serves as leader, that brought us The Last of Us.

Alright, fine, I get that. The next video game released by them, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, is pretty hyped, and I’ll likely end up playing it. But it’s the departure of Halley Gross, a writer on the TV show and the co-writer for the story of The Last of Us Part II, that makes me super worried. She announced the news on her Instagram:

In simpler terms, if the two authors who contributed significantly to “The Last of Us Part II,” a game where character Abby plays a significant role in the sequel, choose to depart before Season 3, which seems to focus more on Abby, what does this imply?

I’m Excited About Abby’s Story, But These Two Writers Really Shaped It So Well

Instead of most others, I found immense pleasure in portraying Abby in The Last of Us series. Her narrative resonated deeply with me, and a significant number of scenes I eagerly anticipated seeing on screen turned out to be focused on her. The duo of Druckmann and Gross crafted her storyline.

In this game, there was an unmistakable quality that felt authentically hers. She was robust and powerful, yet unbothered because she possessed a keen understanding of the situation. Beneath her tough exterior lay a heart that cared profoundly for others. She embodied the wisdom in the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and her narrative echoed Ellie’s story remarkably well. It was a near-perfect fit.

It has been established that the TV show character Abby will not resemble the video game version of her in terms of appearance. This is evident as Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby in the series, does not possess the physical strength that game-Abby is depicted with. However, this discrepancy seems acceptable to me, despite potentially altering a significant aspect of her visual identity.

Despite this, the narrative can still proceed without it, and the simultaneous departure of Druckmann and Gross raises my eyebrows to a high degree. I’m curious about the circumstances leading to their exit from the creative team behind The Last of Us Season 3.

It was mentioned that Gross is taking a break to focus on “what’s next,” which could imply that she and Neil might be developing the game Neil previously discussed. However, it’s unusual for both of them, who have played significant roles in shaping Abby’s story, to leave at a time when the series is transitioning to make Abby the main character for a while.

Craig Mazin Is A Great Writer From Chernobyl, But Will He Be Able To Capture The Same Heart?

I want to make it clear that I’m still looking forward to Season 3 of “The Last of Us,” and when it eventually airs in two years (which seems to be HBO’s new pattern), you can bet I’ll be parked on my couch with popcorn ready, ready for the premiere. Craig Mazin, who shares co-creation duties for the series, is a talented writer indeed.

The show Chernobyl, which won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and is widely regarded as one of HBO’s best miniseries, has left an impression on us. However, given that Chernobyl was often historically accurate, I have doubts about Mazin’s ability to conduct thorough research and create a compelling narrative.

But I can’t help but worry, you know?

Neil Druckmann has always held a deep affection for the “The Last of Us” series, and it’s this franchise, alongside the “Uncharted” franchise, that really established his reputation. However, the news that both Druckmann and his co-writer for Part 2 are stepping away from these projects seems rather concerning to me.

Time alone can reveal the fate of Season 3. For now, I’ll eagerly await its arrival, heart pounding, clutching my Firefly charm tightly against my chest, hoping for its continued brilliance.

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2025-07-24 00:19