HBO to End The Last of Us After Season 3

The adaptation of The Last of Us at HBO will conclude with its upcoming third season. While the show was already set to finish adapting the second game in Naughty Dog’s series, some held out hope for a continuation. Those hopes are now gone according to the head of HBO.

Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, shared updates on upcoming projects when speaking to Deadline following a successful night at the Emmys. Bloys stated that Craig Mazin planned the third season as the final one. Mazin serves as the co-creator and showrunner of the series.

HBO split the second game across two seasons to reflect its dual protagonists after adapting the first game in season 1. Season 2 follows Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, on her quest for revenge and her hunt for Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, following the death of Joel, played by Pedro Pascal. Season 3 shifts perspectives to retell the events of season 2 from Abby’s point of view. Michelle Mao will also join the cast as Lev.

Is Naughty Dog involved with The Last of Us season 3?

Neil Druckmann co-created the HBO show alongside Mazin after co-creating the original video game series. Druckmann worked as a writer and showrunner for the first two seasons but stepped away from work on season 3. He has since distanced Naughty Dog from the adaptation, particularly following the mixed response to the second season. Druckmann confirmed in an interview with The Washington Post that Naughty Dog had no creative involvement in the final season, though he noted that he still has plans for the future of the franchise.

Bloys reaffirmed that season 3 is scheduled for release in 2027, though he provided no specific release date or window beyond that year. Meanwhile, Sony is developing a God of War series for Prime Video starring Dave Bautista.

Source: Polygon