In a move that surprises no one but delights fans everywhere, HBO's acclaimed series The Last of Us has been officially greenlit for a third season. This announcement comes just days before the highly anticipated premiere of Season 2 on Max, scheduled for April 13, 2025. The renewal was shared through Max's social media channels on April 9, with the cryptic message, “It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming,” accompanied by a striking image of a deep red flare burning brightly.
It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/q5HxyvK9O6
— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 9, 2025
The Last of Us burst onto the scene in January 2023, receiving widespread critical acclaim and being hailed as one of the best video game adaptations to date. The show's first season swept up eight Emmy awards from its 24 nominations, setting a high bar for the upcoming seasons. Season 2 will see the return of fan favorites Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel, with Kaitlyn Dever joining the cast as Abby, a character driven by a quest for revenge following a personal loss. The ensemble is further enriched with notable additions including Young Mazino from Beef, Isabelle Merced of Alien: Romulus, Danny Ramirez from Captain America: Brave New World, and seasoned actors Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Wright.
In a recent interview with IGN, series creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann delved into the ongoing debate about Joel's controversial decision at the end of the first game. Druckmann, head of Naughty Dog, expressed his belief in Joel's choice, stating, “I believe Joel was right. If I were in Joel's position, I hope I would be able to do what he did to save my daughter.” On the other hand, Mazin, known for his work on Chernobyl, offered a more conflicted perspective, saying, “That's so interesting, because I think that if I were in Joel's position, I probably would have done what he did. But I'd like to think that I wouldn't. That's the interesting push and pull of the morality of it. And that's why the ending of the first game is so provocative and so wonderful. It just doesn't let you off the hook as a player.”
While fans eagerly await the premiere of Season 2, the release date for Season 3 remains undisclosed. For those looking to dive deeper, IGN offers a spoiler-free review of The Last of Us Season 2 to tide you over until the new episodes drop.
