Get the latest updates on The Last of Us Season 3—including its release date speculation, filming details, cast list, plot predictions, trailer news, and whether it’s the final season of HBO’s hit series.
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After two gripping seasons filled with emotion, heartbreak, and stunning visuals, The Last of Us is set to return for a third season. HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama, based on Naughty Dog’s award-winning video game, continues to keep fans hooked with its raw storytelling and unforgettable characters.
Season 3 promises to take the story in a bold new direction. With Kaitlyn Dever stepping into the spotlight as Abby and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie taking a smaller role, the show is shifting focus. Behind the scenes, there are also major creative changes, including Neil Druckmann’s exit as co-showrunner.
Here’s everything we know so far about The Last of Us Season 3—from its possible release date and filming updates to cast details, storyline clues, and more.
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When Will The Last of Us Season 3 Be Released?
As of now, HBO hasn’t announced an official release date for The Last of Us Season 3. However, several industry reports and statements from the show’s creators give us a good idea of what to expect.
According to the Production List by the Film and Television Industry Alliance, filming for The Last of Us Season 3 is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada. This aligns with earlier comments from HBO and Max’s chairman and CEO Casey Bloys, who revealed that the new season is planned for a 2027 release.
In July 2025, Bloys confirmed:
“The series is definitely planned for 2027. Craig [Mazin] is still deciding whether it will be two more seasons or one long one.”
A few weeks later, showrunner Craig Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter that he was still in the writing phase and enjoying the process. He also revealed that Season 3 will be longer than Season 2, making it “more on par with Season 1.”
Looking at the pattern so far—Season 1 aired in 2023 and Season 2 premiered in 2025—a two-year gap between seasons seems consistent. If production begins in 2026, fans can likely expect the premiere in mid or late 2027.
So, while there’s no confirmed release date yet, it’s safe to say that patience will be key for fans waiting for the next chapter.
Who Will Return for The Last of Us Season 3?
Season 3 brings a major shift in focus, with Abby’s storyline taking centre stage. This means that Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, will likely have the leading role this time.
Here’s the list of confirmed and expected returning cast members:
- Bella Ramsey as Ellie
- Kaitlyn Dever plays Abby.
- Pedro Pascal plays Joel.
- Gabriel Luna plays Tommy.
- Rutina Wesley as Maria
- Isabela Merced as Dina
- Jeffrey Wright as Isaac
- Spencer Lord as Owen
- Tati Gabrielle as Nora
- Danny Ramirez as Manny
- Ariela Barer as Mel
- Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan
- Ben Ahlers as Burton
It’s possible that characters like Lev and Yara, two important WLF members, will return as well. Meanwhile, Catherine O’Hara has confirmed she will not appear in Season 3 due to the new storyline focus.
Creative Team Changes
The show’s creative side will look a bit different this time. Neil Druckmann, the creator of the original video game and co-showrunner for the first two seasons, will not return in that role for Season 3.
In July 2025, Druckmann confirmed his departure, saying he wanted to focus on Naughty Dog’s next video game project, titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. However, he will remain attached as an executive producer.
Meanwhile, Craig Mazin will continue as the main showrunner, ensuring the series maintains its signature emotional tone and cinematic quality. Screenwriter Halley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us Part II game, has also exited the show.
Despite these changes, HBO remains confident that Season 3 will meet the same high standards as previous seasons.
What Will The Last of Us Season 3 Be About?
If you’ve played The Last of Us Part II, you already have a general idea of what’s coming. Season 3 is expected to dive deep into Abby’s perspective, exploring the events that unfold from her side of the story.
At the end of Season 2, we saw Abby waking up on “Seattle Day 1”, setting the stage for a flashback-style narrative that shows what she went through during the same timeline as Ellie’s revenge journey.
According to the game, Abby’s arc focuses on her search for redemption, survival, and humanity in a world consumed by infection and violence. Her bond with Lev, a young Seraphite, becomes one of the emotional highlights.
This season will likely show:
- Abby’s daily life within the Washington Liberation Front (WLF)
- Her encounters with the Seraphites, a religious group at war with the WLF
- Her friendship with Lev and Yara, which challenges her beliefs
- Flashbacks of Joel and Ellie, adding emotional layers to the story
Craig Mazin and the writing team have hinted that the adaptation will remain faithful to the game’s spirit but will still introduce new storylines and characters to surprise fans.
In an interview, Casey Bloys mentioned that the writers are still deciding whether to split the remaining story into two seasons or wrap it all up in one long season. This means we could see even more depth to Abby’s story than expected.
Where Will The Last of Us Season 3 Be Filmed?
Production documents confirm that filming will begin on April 1, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver is known for its versatile landscapes and has been used to recreate the post-apocalyptic American setting for Season 2 as well.
The location’s mix of forests, urban ruins, and coastal views fits perfectly with the game’s Seattle setting, where much of Abby’s story takes place.
With production scheduled to last several months, filming could wrap by the end of 2026, giving HBO enough time to complete post-production for a 2027 premiere.
Is There a Trailer for The Last of Us Season 3?
Unfortunately, no trailer or teaser has been released yet. Since filming hasn’t started, fans will likely have to wait until late 2026 or early 2027 for the first footage.
HBO will probably release the first official teaser six to nine months before the premiere, following their usual marketing timeline. Until then, viewers can expect behind-the-scenes updates, casting news, and perhaps a few sneak peeks once production begins.
Is The Last of Us Season 3 the Final Season?
That’s still uncertain. HBO has not officially confirmed whether Season 3 will conclude the story.
In The Last of Us Part II video game, there’s still a lot of story left that hasn’t been covered — including Abby and Lev’s journey beyond Seattle, Ellie’s time on the farm, and the potential for future conflicts.
Casey Bloys hinted that there could be one or two more seasons, depending on how Craig Mazin decides to structure the adaptation.
So while Season 3 will cover a major part of the game’s second chapter, there’s a good chance we might see a Season 4 to wrap everything up.
What Fans Can Expect
Season 3 will mark a turning point for the series. With a new lead character, shifting perspectives, and a fresh creative direction, it’s shaping up to be both risky and exciting.
Here’s what you can expect from The Last of Us Season 3:
- A darker, more emotional tone as Abby faces her own moral dilemmas.
- More action and tension as the war between the WLF and Seraphites unfolds.
- Flashbacks and parallel storytelling, showing both Abby and Ellie’s journeys.
- New characters introduced to expand the world beyond the games.
- Visually stunning production, continuing HBO’s reputation for cinematic TV.
Even with the changes behind the scenes, the show’s heart—the emotional storytelling—remains intact.
Final Thoughts
The Last of Us Season 3 is shaping up to be one of HBO’s most anticipated releases of 2027. With Kaitlyn Dever leading as Abby, Bella Ramsey returning as Ellie, and Craig Mazin ensuring the series keeps its emotional core, the new season promises to deliver another unforgettable story.
It may take some time before we see new episodes, but if the first two seasons are any indication, the wait will be worth it.
So, until the next trailer drops, all fans can do is replay the games, rewatch the show, and prepare for another journey into the hauntingly beautiful world of The Last of Us.
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