Production on the highly anticipated third season of HBO’s “The Last of Us” is reportedly ramping up, with actress Kaitlyn Dever set to take on a more prominent role in the upcoming episodes. The first season of the hit series effectively adapted the 14-hour gameplay of the original game into nine gripping episodes, while the second season compressed approximately 40-45% of the sequel, “The Last of Us Part II,” into just seven episodes. This season particularly focused on Ellie’s dark journey driven by vengeance.
As the storyline progresses, fans can expect the third season to explore Abby’s character in depth, adapting the remaining narrative of the sequel. The series will shift perspectives to Abby’s story, specifically chronicling her experiences in Seattle over the initial three days as she embarks on a quest for redemption.
Speaking to Deadline, Dever expressed her excitement about the new season, stating she is preparing both mentally and physically for her expanded role. “I’m getting mentally and physically prepped right now. I go up in a couple of days, actually, to start prep over there. I’m so excited to kind of take on a much bigger role in the season. The fans are really going to like it, I think, the shifting perspective onto Abby, getting some more context onto her storyline and going back in time with this season. So, I’m very excited for the fans to see it,” she mentioned.
Behind the scenes, significant changes have occurred as the series prepares for its next chapter. Neil Druckmann, co-creator and co-showrunner of the game, has mostly stepped away from the project, along with executive producer Halley Gross, who contributed to the writing of the game’s sequel. Craig Mazin now takes the helm as the sole showrunner for the series.
While HBO has yet to confirm whether the third season will conclude the series, it has been indicated that “The Last of Us” Season 3 is slated to premiere in 2027. Fans are eager for an in-depth exploration of Abby’s character and the richness of the complex storytelling that has defined the series.