After a short yet emotionally intense second season, The Last of Us fans are already speculating about what comes next. HBO’s gritty, post-apocalyptic series has had its viewers hooked from the start, and Season 2 ended in a cliffhanger, leaving us begging for more.
With Joel’s shocking death, Ellie’s descent into grief and revenge, and only seven episodes to tell such a heavy story, the anticipation for Season 3 is through the roof. So, what has officially been announced so far? Let’s go through everything we know about The Last of Us Season 3, from official announcements and story hints to possible release windows.
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The Last of Us Season 3 Is Officially Coming
There’s no need to wonder anymore, as HBO has officially renewed The Last of Us for Season 3. The announcement came on April 9, 2025, just days ahead of the Season 2 premiere. The showrunners and HBO executives remain adamant there’s still so much story to tell.
Co-creator Craig Mazin has explained multiple times that it’s impossible to do justice to The Last of Us Part II game in an adaptation of just two seasons. And sure enough, he’s given very strong hints that Season 3 will be even bigger and maybe even not the final chapter.
“It feels like it’s pretty much for sure going to be that… Season 3 will be much bigger,” Mazin told Deadline. And yes, the show might need Season 4.”
Neil Druckmann, the original game writer and co-showrunner with Mazin, also expressed the same feelings. He’s evidently excited to keep working with Mazin and HBO to bring the story to life.
Story Direction: Abby’s POV is Next
Season 2 was about Ellie’s revenge-filled emotional journey following the brutal murder of Joel by Abby. But the fans of the video game know that The Last of Us Part II not only tells Ellie’s story, but it also tells Abby’s story. That is why it is extremely likely that Season 3 will shift the narrative to Abby’s story.
That likely indicates that we can look forward to seeing more of Abby’s backstory, her inner struggles, and how she deals with the fallout of her actions, most notably the tense confrontation with Ellie at the aquarium.
The Season 2 finale, titled Convergence, teased this shift in narrative by putting Ellie and Abby finally face-to-face before the screen went dark. That kind of finale strongly suggests that Season 3 will pick up from Abby’s point of view, perhaps retelling past events from her perspective.
Mazin has said the series will continue to explore the franchise’s signature moral gray areas. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? It’s going to be more difficult than ever to say in Season 3.
Cast and Characters: Who’s Returning?
Though Pedro Pascal’s Joel is gone, his influence on the story is far from over. Look for him to appear in flashbacks or in strong emotional moments. Bella Ramsey is confirmed to return as Ellie, and they’ve said they’re excited about continuing the character’s journey.
Some of Season 2’s new faces are also expected to return. Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, will likely be leading this season. Isabela Merced, who plays Dina, will return as Ellie’s girlfriend if the two can keep their relationship alive amidst the chaos.
Other notable names, such as Gabriel Luna playing Tommy and Ariela Barer playing Mel, could return through flashbacks or if the show expands beyond what was covered in the game.
When to Expect/Release Date of The Last of Us Season 3
As of now, HBO has not announced the release date of Season 3. However, we can assume based on the shooting of Season 2. Season 2 shooting began in February 2024 and ended in August 2024, and the season premiered in April 2025.
If Season 3 is indeed set in the same timeline, production would begin in 2026, with a release window in early 2027. Even Isabela Merced mentioned in an interview that filming would “probably be next year,” which aligns with that timeline.
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Of course, anything can happen based on scripts, casting, or the length of post-production, especially if Season 3 is as “much bigger” as Mazin suggested. Either way, it won’t be long before we know.
Will There Be The Last of Us Season 4?
Though HBO has not yet formally confirmed Season four, HBO drama chief Francesca Orsi and show creator Craig Mazin both indicated there is a strong possibility. Orsi indicated in early 2025, “it’s looking like four seasons,” stating The Last of Us Part II is so big that it’s just too epic to be done in one or two seasons.
If that’s where it ends, then people can experience the complete ride of Ellie and Abby, including some of the most intense and some of the most divisive moments in the game, spread over two further seasons. That’s good for anyone who’s thoroughly invested in these characters and wants to follow their stories all the way through.
What to Expect from The Last of Us Season 3
Season 2 was bold in its creative choices. The death of Joel in episode two surprised many fans, especially those who hadn’t played the game. And the season leaned heavily on trauma, loss, and moral ambiguity. It was a quieter, more intimate installment that was all about Ellie’s breakdown and not endless zombie thrills.
Season 3 is expected to do the same, or even better. With the ongoing war between the WLF (Washington Liberation Front) and Seraphites, growing threat of smarter, more lethal infected, and evolving Cordyceps fungus, things are going to get a whole lot more intense. Fans can likely anticipate epic battle scenes, new forms of infected variants, and emotionally charged scenes as Ellie and Abby’s storylines continue to collide.
Final Thoughts
Season 3 of The Last of Us will be the series’s most ambitious installment to date. With the renewal already in hand, more insight into Abby’s future, and the promise of even more emotional and narrative complexity, there’s a lot to look forward to.
Although we’ll likely be waiting until 2027 to discover what’s in store, it definitely seems to be worth it. Meanwhile, you can always replay the games or revisit that devastatingly beautiful finale one more time.
You can watch The Last of Us Season 1 and 2 on Amazon Prime, Max, HBO (TV), and JioHotstar.
