The Last of Us will recast Manny for season 3 after Danny Ramirez exits the HBO drama due to scheduling conflicts following his role in season 2.
HBO’s The Last of Us is undergoing a notable cast change ahead of its third season. Danny Ramirez, who joined the acclaimed apocalypse drama in season 2, will not return as Manny due to scheduling conflicts, and the role will be recast for season 3.
Ramirez debuted as Manny in the second season of The Last of Us, portraying the character as a loyal soldier whose upbeat demeanor masked deeper emotional scars and a lingering fear of failing the people closest to him. Manny is a former member of the Fireflies, the rebel militia central to the series’ mythology, and is closely connected to Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. In season 2, Manny supports Abby as she pursues revenge against Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, for the massacre at the Firefly hospital carried out to save Ellie, played by Bella Ramsay.
While Ramirez’s time on the series was brief, his exit is tied to an increasingly busy schedule. The actor is widely known for playing Joaquin Torres, also known as Falcon, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His credits include The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the 2025 film Captain America: Brave New World, and the upcoming feature Avengers: Doomsday. He is also set to appear in the forthcoming Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic Samo Lives.
Based on the video game of the same name by Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us is set in a world ravaged decades after the collapse of modern civilization. The series follows Joel, a hardened survivor tasked with smuggling Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of a brutal quarantine zone. What begins as a simple job evolves into a harrowing journey across the United States, forcing the pair to rely on one another to survive. Season 2 advanced the story five years into the future, placing Joel and Ellie in a more dangerous and unpredictable world while also straining their relationship.
The television adaptation was co-created by Druckmann and Craig Mazin, who both served as writers and directors during season 2. Druckmann has since stepped away from his creative roles ahead of season 3 to focus on other projects, marking another behind-the-scenes shift as the series moves forward.
With Manny set to be recast, season 3 of The Last of Us will introduce a new actor to continue the character’s storyline as the HBO drama pushes deeper into its emotionally charged and perilous world.
