The Last of Us Season 3 News: Unpacking the Long Wait, Abby's Story, and Creator Promises

Good news arrived before The Last of Us season 2 even came out: HBO said yes to a third season. That is exciting, of course, but it looks like we will have to wait quite a while to see what happens after season 2's big ending. Recent comments from the show's creators and stars suggest things are still very much in motion. It means we might not see the next part of this emotional story for a few years.

Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann recently talked about how much of the story for characters like Ellie, Dina, Tommy, and Jesse will be in season 3. This tells me they probably have not finished writing it yet. Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, also confirmed she has not seen any scripts. She expects her character will be there but not a lot. Ramsey said she has a rough idea of what it will be but cannot share the details. This kind of slow and careful writing process is common for big shows, but it does mean a longer wait for us viewers.

Just like in the video game that the show is based on, this next season will flip perspectives. Instead of mostly following Ramsey’s Ellie, season 3 will be all about Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby. Dever is currently busy filming Godzilla X Kong: Supernova. Once that wraps up, perhaps she can start working on more zombie-filled adventures. Mazin knows they need to move things along. He told Variety that the show is getting harder to make because every episode gets bigger. He added that nobody wants to wait four years for the story to finish.

The Long Anticipated Wait for The Last of Us Season 3 Continues as Production Takes Time

Understanding Why Fans Will Have To Be Patient For More Episodes and Story Details

If you were hoping we would start seeing shorter gaps between seasons of big shows, then you might be disappointed. The Last of Us, which is finishing season 2 by covering half of the second game, will have another long wait before the rest of the story arrives. This is not ideal when a single game's story is cut in half. It means a big interruption in the narrative flow. It also means we will get a lot more of Abby, given how the game handled this. So far, we have not seen much of Abby in season 2.

Actress Isabela Merced, who plays Dina, mentioned that filming for season 3 is not expected to start until 2026. She did not give a specific time in 2026. Even if filming starts in January 2026, the gap between filming and airing has been long for past seasons. Season 1 took about 18 months from filming to airing. Season 2, which was shorter, took 14 months. This means the gap between the premieres of season 1 and season 2 was over two years. If we guess a 16-month gap from filming to release, starting in January 2026, we are looking at May 2027 for a possible release. If filming begins later in 2026, it could be October 2027. So, we are probably looking at no less than two years and possibly closer to two and a half.

It is not a surprise that the wait will be this long. This pattern is common for most big shows these days, even those with less complicated productions. It is simply not a great time for quick TV viewing unless you wait half a decade to watch everything at once. Mazin explained why season 3 might need more time. He said there is a good chance season 3 will be longer than season 2. This is because the way the story is told and the opportunities it gives them are a bit different. He also mentioned that Joel's death in season 2 is so impactful that it is hard to move away from it. They cannot easily take a break to tell a different story like the "Bill and Frank" episode from season 1. He thinks they will have more room in season 3.

Abby's Side of the Story Will Come Into Focus in The Last of Us Season 3

How The Show Plans To Adapt The Game's Controversial Perspective Shift For New Episodes

The game's story shifts perspective from Ellie to Abby. It shows Abby's background and her views as someone deeply affected by Joel's actions in the first game. The end of season 2 makes it clear that Abby's story will be front and center in season 3. Co-creator Craig Mazin confirmed this, saying "There is another side to this story that we have yet to really go into." He added that "Abby is the hero of her story." This is a big statement and promises a fascinating shift in how we see the events unfold.

Mazin and Druckmann have also hinted that season 3 will answer many questions from season 2. Mazin asked about how the war started, how the Seraphites began, who the prophet is, what happened to her, what Isaac wants, and what caused the explosion at the end of episode 7. He promised that "all of that will become clear." This suggests that even though the focus is shifting to Abby, the overall story of the world and its factions will continue to develop and reveal its secrets. It sounds like a lot of mysteries will be cleared up.

Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, said Mazin is still working on writing the season. She has no idea what their plans are exactly. Dever mentioned that Mazin told her season 3 will be even more intense than season 2. She said she did not know how that would be possible. This kind of intense storytelling is what fans have come to expect from The Last of Us. It seems the show will keep delivering high stakes and emotional challenges.

Key Characters Expected to Return and The Show's Vision for Its Complete Narrative

Who We Will See Back in Action and How Many Seasons It Might Take to Finish The Story

We can expect Bella Ramsey to return as Ellie. Kaitlyn Dever will be back as Abby, and Isabela Merced as Dina. It is not clear yet if Pedro Pascal will appear in flashbacks as Joel. Other actors likely to return include Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, and Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan. The show keeps many of its core actors. This helps maintain the strong performances we have seen so far.

Mazin also believes they will not be able to finish the story in season 3. He hopes they will earn enough support to come back and finish it in a fourth season. He called that the "most likely outcome." HBO executive Francesca Orsi also hinted at four seasons. This is great news for fans who want to see the entire sprawling story told properly. It shows the creators are committed to telling the full story of the game, even if it takes more time than originally thought. This careful approach to pacing and storytelling is a hallmark of the series. It promises a complete and satisfying journey for viewers.

Bella Ramsey has already said she is ready to play Ellie for as long as HBO wants. She sees no limits and is willing to keep flying to Canada for filming. Mazin also shared his excitement for continuing to work with Ramsey. He said it would be wonderful to work with her every day for the rest of his life. This strong commitment from the cast and crew is a good sign for the show's future. It suggests they are all invested in bringing this difficult but powerful story to life on screen.

The fact that The Last of Us was renewed early shows how much faith HBO has in the series. The season 2 results have gone beyond even their highest goals. The network is excited to bring us more. This gives fans a lot to look forward to even with the long wait. The show continues to be a powerful adaptation of a beloved game. It brings new depth and understanding to its characters and themes. I am sure it will be worth the wait.