HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation of The Last of Us is officially set to return for a third season in 2027, though questions remain regarding the series’ long-term roadmap. Speaking in a recent interview, HBO executive Casey Bloys addressed the future of the show following the news that Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the video game and co-showrunner of the series, will step away from his active role in the upcoming season.
Bloys emphasized that while Druckmann’s involvement was pivotal in shaping the series, his responsibilities as the head of Naughty Dog and his commitments to game development naturally limit his continued participation. However, Bloys expressed full confidence in showrunner Craig Mazin’s ability to lead the project forward, citing Mazin’s creative vision as the driving force behind adapting the franchise for television.
Reflecting on Druckmann’s departure, Bloys said, “Neil has a full time job creating video games and running Naughty Dog. It’s a really big job that he’s got. So I understand why he needs to focus on that. But I believe he’s given us a good blueprint with the show. And obviously Craig is a pro, so I think we’ll be in excellent shape. I’m not worried at all.”
Looking ahead, Bloys confirmed that Season 3 is indeed planned for the 2027 television season. However, Mazin is still evaluating whether the story will conclude with one extended third season or if a fourth season will follow. This decision is expected to be based on narrative pacing and the scope of adapting the remaining content from The Last of Us Part II. “It hasn’t been decided yet, and I’m following Craig’s lead on that,” Bloys stated.
The evolving cast dynamics also came into discussion, especially considering the narrative shifts from the game source material. With Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, no longer central to the story following the events of the second season, and with uncertainties around the extent of Bella Ramsey’s involvement, Bloys expressed confidence in the series’ ability to retain audience interest. “I think the title is obviously helped by the video game, and now the first two seasons is pretty well established. I kind of appreciate shows that take things and do a show from a different point of view,” he explained.
The Last of Us series debuted in January 2023 and quickly became a major success for HBO, averaging over 30 million viewers per episode by its first season’s end. The second season, which premiered in April 2025, surpassed these figures, reaching nearly 37 million viewers within two months.
Based on the acclaimed video game franchise by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us depicts a world ravaged by a deadly fungal infection that turns humans into aggressive, zombie-like creatures. The story’s first season followed Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) on a perilous journey across a post-apocalyptic United States. The second season, inspired by the first half of The Last of Us Part II, focused on the aftermath of Joel’s death and Ellie’s pursuit of justice, setting the stage for a major confrontation with Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), who is expected to take center stage in the third season.
