In an exciting announcement for fans, HBO has officially picked up The Last of Us for a third season. This news comes just in time for the much-anticipated Season 2 debut, which is set to premiere on April 13. According to reports from Deadline, there has been no confirmation yet on whether Season 3 will be the final installment of the series. The creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, previously indicated that they are considering a total of up to four seasons to adequately cover the story derived from the two critically acclaimed video games.
Season 2 will consist of seven episodes, and both Druckmann and Mazin have made it clear that they aim to alleviate fans' concerns about attempting to conclude the extensive narrative of The Last of Us Part II in such a limited timeframe. “It can’t be overemphasized how proud HBO is of the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of The Last of Us is,” stated Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming. “The entire team has delivered a masterful follow-up, and we’re thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil’s storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season.”
The early renewal of The Last of Us for a third season is indicative of HBO's faith in this acclaimed series, a sentiment that is not surprising given the phenomenal performance of the first season. By the conclusion of its first season, HBO reported that the average audience had exceeded 30 million viewers, with the premiere episode attracting a staggering same-day audience of 4.7 million—making it the largest debut since House of the Dragon and the biggest since Boardwalk Empire launched in 2010.
In a statement on Wednesday, Druckmann expressed his appreciation for the fans’ support, saying, “To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me. Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions.” Mazin echoed this sentiment, stating, “We approached Season 2 with the goal of creating something we could be proud of. The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew.”
The Last of Us is based on the award-winning video game developed by Naughty Dog, set 20 years after modern civilization has crumbled. The series follows Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, a tough survivor, who is tasked with smuggling Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, a 14-year-old girl, out of a dangerous quarantine zone. What begins as a simple job soon escalates into a harrowing journey across the U.S., forcing both characters to rely on each other for survival.
Season 2 picks up five years after the events of the first season, delving into the evolving conflict between Joel and Ellie in a world that is even more perilous and unpredictable than before. The returning cast includes Gabriel Luna and Rutina Wesley, while new additions for Season 2 include Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, Spencer Lord, Danny Ramirez, and Jeffrey Wright. Notably, Catherine O’Hara will also guest star.
The series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and features a talented team of executive producers, including Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells, along with writer and co-executive producer Halley Gross. The collaboration between PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog underscores the commitment to delivering an engaging and immersive viewing experience for fans.
