Ahead of its second season premiere this weekend, HBO has officially confirmed that its acclaimed video game adaptation The Last of Us will return for a third season.
“We approached Season 2 with the goal of creating something we could be proud of,” states co-showrunner Craig Mazin. “The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew.”
“To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans’ enthusiastic and overwhelming support,” added Neil Druckmann, co-showrunner and writer and creative director of the original games. “Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions.”
The renewal is not unexpected; while the critically acclaimed first season adapted the original 2013 video game, the showrunners had previously revealed their intention to split the 2020 sequel The Last of Us Part II across multiple seasons. That will get underway this Sunday with the season two premiere on Max.
After five years of peace following the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie’s collective past catches up to them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.
The Last of Us season 2 sees the return of Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Maria alongside new cast members Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Young Mazino as Jesse, Isabela Merced as Dina, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Catherine O’Hara in an undisclosed role.
The Last of Us season 2 premieres on Max on April 13th.