From the returning cast to plot details, here’s everything to know about ‘The Last of Us’ season 3

Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2

The Last of Us will last for a little longer.

HBO’s hit post-apocalyptic series was renewed for a third installment in April 2025 — just days before the premiere of season 2. This wasn’t exactly a surprise, considering co-creator and showrunner Craig Mazin told GQ in March 2023 that there was “no way” the second installment could chronicle the entire story of the 2020 The Last of Us: Part II video game.

The Last of Us is set in a world ravaged by a fungal pandemic that transforms humans into aggressive, zombie-like creatures, leading to the collapse of society. The narrative centers on Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a teenage girl who is immune to the infection.

In season 2, episode 2, viewers watched Joel’s brutal death, but that wasn’t the last that viewers saw of Ellie’s guardian. Pascal appeared in episode 6 — a flashback episode.

Determined to avenge Joel, Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) traveled to Seattle in season 2 to find his killer, Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). The season finale, which aired on May 25, saw Ellie finally come face-to-face with her enemy, but Ellie’s path to revenge came with a steep price.

So, will fans see more Joel flashbacks in the third installment of The Last of Us — and what will the story center on? Here’s everything to know about The Last of Us season 3.

Warning: The Last of Us season 2 spoilers ahead!

What happened in The Last of Us season 2 finale?

Bella Ramsey - The Last of Us

Bella Ramsey in “The Last of Us” season 2.Liane Hentscher/HBO

The Last of Us season 2 finale sees Abby find Ellie and her friends — Dina, Jesse (Young Mazino) and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) — hiding out in a Seattle theater.

This came after Ellie’s harrowing attempt to hunt down Abby, which resulted in the deaths of three of Abby’s fellow Washington Liberation Front (W.L.F.) members: Nora (Tati Gabrielle), Mel (Ariela Barer) and Owen (Spencer Lord).

In the final minutes of episode 7, Abby injures Tommy and shoots Jesse in the head. Ellie surrenders, and just as Abby points her gun at Ellie, the screen goes black. The sound of a gun firing can be heard.

After a wild season, ending on this particular scene felt like the right move, co-creator Neil Druckmann said in a finale press conference.

“We entertain everything, but no [other endings are] coming to mind, because whatever we entertained didn’t stick for very long,” he said. “This always felt like the natural end point for the season.”

Will there be a season 3 of The Last of Us?

Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced in The Last of Us Season 2 - Episode 4

Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced in “The Last of Us” season 2.Liane Hentscher/HBO

Yes, HBO renewed The Last of Us for a third season in April 2025.

“We approached season two with the goal of creating something we could be proud of,” Mazin said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. “The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals. We look forward to continuing the story of The Last of Us with season three.”

While speaking to Collider in May 2025, Mazin teased that “there’s a decent chance” season 3 will be longer than season 2, which consisted of seven episodes.

What will The Last of Us season 3 be about?

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2

Kaitlyn Dever in “The Last of Us” season 2.HBO

While HBO hasn’t released any specific plot details about The Last of Us season 3, Catherine O’Hara, who plays therapist Gail Lynden, revealed to Variety in May 2025 that the third installment will center around “the Abby story.” This aligns with the season 2 finale, which ended with a flashback of Abby waking up in the W.L.F. barracks three days earlier.

“There is another side to this story that we have yet to really delve into. There’s no question that Abby is the hero of her story,” Mazin said in a finale press conference. “

Meanwhile, Merced has said that Dina and Ellie’s relationship will be significantly impacted by Jesse’s death.

“It’s going to be weird acting like I don’t like Bella. It’s going to be hard because I have such a sweet spot for [Ellie and Dina] now,” she told Variety in May 2025. “I’ve tried to ask Craig [Mazin], but I don’t think he even really knows yet fully how things are going to be.”

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Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in 'The Last of Us'.

Mazin added that Dina and Ellie’s relationship will be “the central relationship of this season” in the finale press conference.

More information the audience is craving about the W.L.F. and the Seraphites is also “coming,” Mazin told Collider. But viewers might not get all the answers in season 3.

“There’s no way to complete this narrative in a third season,” the co-creator added. “Hopefully, we’ll earn our keep enough to come back and finish it in a fourth. That’s the most likely outcome.”

Which cast members are returning for The Last of Us season 3?

Bella Ramsey; Kaitlyn Dever

Bella Ramsey; Kaitlyn Dever.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Casting for The Last of Us season 3 has not been confirmed.

However, given that the third installment will focus largely on Abby’s story prior to the events of the season 2 finale, it’s likely that Dever and her W.L.F. gang (Gabrielle, Barer and Lord) will reprise their roles.

Will Pedro Pascal return for The Last of Us season 3?

Pedro Pascal as Joel in 'The Last of Us' season 2, episode 6

Pedro Pascal in “The Last of Us” season 2.HBO

Given the show’s history with flashback episodes, Pascal may return for The Last of Us season 3 in a limited capacity following his character’s death in season 2, episode 2.

As of now, Pascal hasn’t commented on his potential involvement in the third installment. But Mazin says fans should “never say never” to seeing Joel again.

“I think next season we probably will have a bit more flexibility,” he said in a finale press conference. “We love a side trip. It’s one of our favorite things to do. So maybe a side trip to Joel and Tommy terrorizing the countryside.”

When is The Last of Us season 3 coming out?

The Last of Us Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey in “The Last of Us” season 2. Liane Hentscher/HBO

HBO hasn’t announced a premiere date for The Last of Us season 3. However, Merced told Variety in May 2025 that production of the third installment will likely begin in 2026.

As for its release, HBO and Max content CEO Casey Bloys told Variety in July 2025 that season 3 is “definitely planned for 2027.”

“Craig is still working it out whether it will be two more seasons or one more long season,” he said. “It hasn’t been decided yet, and I’m following Craig’s lead on that.”

Where can I watch The Last of Us?

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay in season 1, episode 6 of 'The Last of Us'

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in “The Last of Us” season 1.HBO