The Last of Us season 3: casting, storylines – what we already know about the video game adaptation’s sequel

With the second season of The Last of Us recently wrapping up on Max, fans are already looking ahead to what comes next. The post-apocalyptic drama has kept viewers on the edge of their seats, and now, with season 3 confirmed, there’s a lot to speculate about. From returning cast members to the direction of the story, here’s everything we know so far about the next chapter of this hit video game adaptation.

Is There a Season 3 of The Last of Us?

The answer is yes, but fans will have to wait a while. Despite season 2 airing in spring 2025, production for season 3 has not yet begun, and there’s no confirmed release date. With filming still pending, it’s unlikely we’ll see the next season on our screens before 2027. That means it’ll be a long wait, but considering how dedicated the cast and crew are to bringing the story to life, it’s sure to be worth it.

What Will Happen in Season 3? Possible Storylines Based on the Video Game

To get an idea of where season 3 might take us, we have to look at the events of The Last of Us Part II—the game that serves as the basis for this portion of the series. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the showrunners, have been clear from the start that the story will span multiple seasons, with seasons 2 and 3 adapting the game’s intricate plot. Thanks to the season 2 finale, we already have a good idea of where season 3 will pick up.

Abby’s Perspective and a Change in Point of View

The season 2 finale gave us a glimpse of Abby’s journey, and it looks like season 3 will follow suit. In the final moments of the season, Abby wakes up on a couch and talks to Manny, one of her fellow rebels. She then steps outside, revealing the massive Seattle stadium—a pivotal setting in the game. This shift in perspective will mirror the game’s narrative structure, where we start again from day 1 with Abby’s side of the story. This includes the intense, tragic events leading up to the infamous aquarium encounter, where Abby discovers the bodies of Owen and Mel before tracking Ellie down to the theater¹.

Time Jumps and Ellie’s Life After Seattle

Season 3 might also feature a time jump, as it does in the game. After the dramatic events in Seattle, Ellie and Dina’s lives are far from over. In the game, we fast-forward to a period where Ellie and Dina are living a peaceful life in a secluded house in Jackson, raising a child surrounded by fields and sheep. However, their tranquil existence is disrupted when Tommy finds Abby’s trail, setting the stage for Ellie to venture out to California. This peaceful moment will likely be disrupted in the series, leading to another round of dangerous encounters and emotional turmoil².

Who’s Coming Back for Season 3?

With the direction of the story already shaping up, it’s clear that many fan-favorite characters will return for the next season. Here’s a rundown of the cast we can expect to see in season 3:

• Bella Ramsey as Ellie

• Kaitlyn Dever as Abby

• Isabela Merced as Dina

• Gabriel Luna as Tommy

• Danny Ramirez as Manny

• Spencer Lord as Owen

• Ariela Barer as Mel

• Jeffrey Wright as Isaac

While these characters are confirmed to return, the burning question remains: Will Pedro Pascal reprise his role as Joel? Despite his death in season 2, the character has made appearances through flashbacks, and showrunner Craig Mazin has hinted that Joel’s presence may not be entirely finished. “Joel will always be there, won’t he?” Mazin teased, keeping fans intrigued about possible future flashbacks or surprises³.

How Did Season 2 End for Ellie?

At the end of season 2, Ellie’s journey takes a darker turn when she kills Owen and Mel at the aquarium, thinking she’s confronting Abby. Saved by Tommy and Jesse, Ellie’s group heads to the theater, where everything takes a tragic turn. Abby discovers the bodies of Owen and Mel and attacks the group, killing Jesse and holding Ellie and Tommy at gunpoint. The season ends with a gunshot ringing out—who was shot? Did Dina intervene to help? These unanswered questions will surely set the stage for the events of season 3.

Could There Be a Season 4?

Though the initial plan was to adapt The Last of Us Part II across two seasons (2 and 3), Craig Mazin recently suggested that it might be difficult to wrap everything up in just one more season. “There’s no way we can finish this story in just season 3,” Mazin said. The possibility of a season 4 is now on the table, with Mazin hinting that they might need more time to conclude the story properly. “I hope we do enough to prove ourselves to HBO so we can return and finish the series with a fourth season,” he added, teasing that this might be the most likely outcome.

Where Can You Stream The Last of Us? How Many Episodes Will Season 3 Have?

Both seasons 1 and 2 of The Last of Us are available to stream on Max (HBO’s streaming platform). Season 3 will likely follow suit, offering the next chapter of the story on the same platform. As for the number of episodes, the showrunners have promised that season 3 will be longer than season 2, which had seven episodes. Expect 8 to 9 episodes for the next season, giving us more time to dive into the complex world of Ellie, Abby, and the post-apocalyptic struggles they face.

While we wait for more details about The Last of Us season 3, it’s clear that the series will continue to explore the themes of survival, vengeance, and human connection in a world forever changed by the Cordyceps outbreak. With a rich narrative and powerful performances, the next season promises to be just as thrilling—and heartbreaking—as the ones that came before it.

Sources:

1. “The Last of Us: Season 2 Finale Breakdown,” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/05/26/hbos-the-last-of-us-season-2-finale-explained/

2. “The Impact of Time Jumps in Narrative Structure,”. https://aspiring-reader.com/fonda-lees-advice-on-writing-time-jumps-in-fiction-2021cbba46c6

3. “Pedro Pascal’s Return in The Last of Us,” Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-last-of-us-pedro-pascal-return-interview-porch-scene-1236220287/