The Last of Us Season 3: Everything We Know So Far

Following the conclusion of The Last of Us Season 2, the series earned 16 Emmy Award nominations—including Outstanding Drama Series. The first season won eight Emmys in 2023, with guest-acting honors for Nick Offerman and Storm Reid.

Although Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal left the Emmys without awards during the show’s debut night, their portrayals of Ellie and Joel have revitalized the franchise—originally launched by Sony as two critically acclaimed video games.

Season 2 adapted The Last of Us Part II, introducing Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and controversially depicting Joel’s murder at her hands. This act ignited Ellie’s relentless pursuit of revenge—a journey that culminated in catastrophic consequences in the Season 2 finale.

Ahead of the show’s return to HBO, GameSpot has compiled this comprehensive guide to everything confirmed about The Last of Us Season 3.

Will Bella Ramsey Return for The Last of Us Season 3?

The Season 2 finale ended on a tense cliffhanger: Ellie faced Abby’s gun at point-blank range—a moment directly adapted from the game. This has led some fans to question Ellie’s fate—and by extension, Bella Ramsey’s involvement in Season 3.

The resolution of that confrontation is canonically established in The Last of Us Part II. While fans may consult the game for narrative spoilers, the definitive answer is yes—Ramsey will reprise her role as Ellie. However, her presence in Season 3 may be significantly reduced compared to prior seasons.

Will The Last of Us Season 3 Focus Entirely on Abby?

As revealed in the Season 2 finale, the narrative perspective shifted to Abby’s first day in Seattle—mirroring the structural pivot in The Last of Us Part II. It has since been confirmed that Season 3 will center on Abby’s story, deepening viewers’ understanding of her motivations, history, and moral complexity—just as players experienced when Abby assumed narrative control in the game.

Who Is Joining the Cast of The Last of Us Season 3?

As of now, no new cast members have been officially announced for Season 3.

Is The Last of Us Co-Creator Neil Druckmann Remaining With the Show?

No. Neil Druckmann announced his departure from the series in July, citing his need to resume leadership responsibilities at Naughty Dog to develop the studio’s next title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Through Seasons 1 and 2, Druckmann served as co-showrunner alongside Craig Mazin. Moving forward, Mazin will serve as the sole showrunner.

How Many Episodes Will The Last of Us Season 3 Have?

Craig Mazin has not yet disclosed the official episode count. However, he has confirmed that Season 3 will be longer than Season 2. For reference: Season 1 comprised nine episodes, while Season 2 featured seven.

When Will The Last of Us Season 3 Be Released?

HBO has not yet announced an official premiere date. Nevertheless, HBO Content Chairman Casey Bloys stated that the season is “definitely planned for 2027.”

Will The Last of Us Conclude With Season 3?

With no third mainline video game released—and no official confirmation of The Last of Us Part III—the television adaptation’s storyline is currently anchored to the conclusion of The Last of Us Part II. Initially, showrunner Craig Mazin indicated that Season 4 would be necessary to deliver a full, satisfying ending. However, Bloys has since suggested the series may conclude after Season 3.

“Craig is still working it out whether it will be two more seasons or one more long season. It hasn’t been decided yet, and I’m following Craig’s lead on that,” said Bloys.

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