The Last of Us season 3 is set for a 2027 release date as HBO’s boss weighs the future of the series following creative team shakeups.
Fans eager to return to the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us will need to hold on a bit longer. According to HBO and HBO Max content chairman Casey Bloys, the hit series is targeting a 2027 debut for its highly anticipated third season.
In a new interview with Variety, Bloys shared that while the show is firmly slated for 2027, it’s still uncertain whether that will be the final chapter. “The series is definitely planned for 2027,” Bloys confirmed. “(Creator) Craig (Mazin) is still working it out whether it will be two more seasons or one more long season. It hasn’t been decided yet, and I’m following Craig’s lead on that.”
Based on the critically acclaimed video game franchise, The Last of Us has followed the emotional journey of Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and the world around her. Season 2 adapted the first half of The Last of Us Part II, focusing on Ellie’s intense path of revenge against Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever). With the second game’s expansive and layered story, Season 3 will continue adapting the remaining half — this time shifting the spotlight to Abby, which means Ramsey’s role will likely be scaled back.
Showrunner Craig Mazin previously hinted that wrapping up The Last of Us Part II may require more than one season. In an earlier Collider interview, he said, “There’s no way to complete this narrative in a third season. Hopefully, we’ll earn our keep enough to come back and finish it in a fourth. That’s the most likely outcome.”
As Season 3 gears up, the show faces a notable behind-the-scenes shakeup. On July 2, Neil Druckmann — co-creator of both the video game and the HBO adaptation — announced that he is stepping away from the series to focus on game development at Naughty Dog. That same day, Halley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us Part II and served as a writer and executive producer on the show, also confirmed her departure.
Despite the changes, Bloys expressed confidence in the direction of the show. “It was fantastic to have Neil involved,” he said. “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.”
With a tentative timeline now in place and major story arcs still left to explore, The Last of Us continues to be one of HBO’s most ambitious and emotionally resonant dramas. Season 3 may be two years away, but the journey isn’t over yet.
