In a significant development for fans of the acclaimed series, Neil Druckmann has announced that he is stepping away from his creative role in The Last of Us on HBO. In a heartfelt statement shared on the official Naughty Dog Instagram account, Druckmann expressed, “I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my creative involvement in The Last of Us on HBO.” He emphasized that with the completion of work on Season 2 and before any major preparations for Season 3, now is the ideal moment for him to focus entirely on Naughty Dog and its future projects.
Druckmann plans to concentrate on writing and directing the highly anticipated game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He also mentioned his responsibilities as Studio Head and Head of Creative at Naughty Dog. “Co-creating the show has been a career highlight,” he reflected, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with Craig Mazin and the talented cast and crew who brought The Last of Us to life on screen. “I’m deeply thankful for the thoughtful approach and dedication the talented cast and crew took to adapting The Last of Us Part I and the continued adaptation of The Last of Us Part II,” he added.
Alongside Druckmann, Halley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us Part II with him and served as an executive producer and writer for the HBO adaptation, has also announced her departure from the series. In her statement posted on Instagram, Gross said, “With great care and consideration, I’ve decided to take a step back from my day-to-day work on HBO’s The Last of Us to make space for what comes next.” She expressed her appreciation for the special experiences gained while working with Neil, Craig, HBO, and the remarkable cast and crew.
Gross reflected on the profound themes explored in the series, stating, “The stories we told – about love, loss, and what it means to be human in a terrifying world – are exactly why I love this franchise.” She hinted at exciting projects ahead, adding, “I can’t wait to share, but for now, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who brought Ellie and Joel’s world to life with such care.”
Neil Druckmann was pivotal in the development of The Last of Us video games, which were created by Naughty Dog. He co-created the HBO series with Craig Mazin, known for his work on the critically acclaimed limited series Chernobyl. The first season of The Last of Us premiered in 2023 to widespread acclaim, and Season 2 was released earlier this year. HBO announced a renewal for a third season back in April, ensuring the continuation of this beloved story.
Despite his exit from day-to-day involvement, Druckmann will retain his credit as an executive producer on the series. Mazin praised Druckmann, stating, “It’s been a creative dream to work with Neil and bring an adaptation of his brilliant work to life on HBO.” He expressed excitement for Druckmann's next game and assured fans that he would continue to work closely with the cast and crew to maintain the high standards expected of the show.
Season 1 of The Last of Us has become one of the highest-rated drama series in HBO history, garnering an impressive 24 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. The game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which was announced in December, will feature Tati Gabrielle in a leading role, with musical contributions from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. As of now, no release date has been confirmed for this exciting new project.
The Ankler was the first to report on Druckmann’s departure from the HBO series, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legacy of The Last of Us.
