The Last of Us season 3 is officially happening—here’s everything to know about Ellie’s next chapter, Abby’s arc and Joel’s potential return.
The Last of Us is coming back for more heartbreak, horror, and humanity. After a shocking and emotional season 2 finale, HBO has confirmed that the post-apocalyptic drama will return for a third season—and fans are already eager to find out what lies ahead for Ellie, Abby, and maybe even Joel.
The season 2 finale, which aired on May 25, ended on a nerve-wracking cliffhanger. Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) tracked Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and her crew—Dina (Isabela Merced), Jesse (Young Mazino), and Tommy (Gabriel Luna)—to a Seattle theater. In a bloody confrontation, Abby fatally shot Jesse, injured Tommy, and left Ellie at gunpoint. Just as the trigger was pulled, the screen faded to black, leaving fans with only the sound of a gunshot and countless questions.
Co-creator Neil Druckmann later revealed this was always intended to be the season’s natural endpoint. The ambiguous finish sets the stage for what’s next in The Last of Us season 3—renewed by HBO in April 2025, just before season 2 premiered.
So, what can viewers expect in season 3? According to Catherine O’Hara, who plays therapist Gail Lynden, the upcoming installment will dive deeper into “the Abby story.” Season 2’s final moments teased this with a flashback to Abby waking up in the Washington Liberation Front barracks—hinting at unfinished business and unseen layers to her character.
Co-creator Craig Mazin affirmed that Abby will be framed as the hero of her own journey. He also hinted that Ellie and Dina’s relationship will take center stage, especially following the traumatic loss of Jesse. Merced admitted playing out the emotional fallout between the couple will be “hard,” given her bond with Bella Ramsey.
There’s more than just personal drama on the horizon. Mazin confirmed fans will get more insight into the Seraphites and the W.L.F., although the entire arc may span more than one season. “There’s no way to complete this narrative in a third season,” Mazin explained. “Hopefully, we’ll earn our keep enough to come back and finish it in a fourth.”
As for Joel (Pedro Pascal), who was killed in season 2, episode 2—don’t count him out completely. Flashbacks brought him back in episode 6, and Mazin teased that future side trips involving Joel and Tommy could still happen. “Never say never,” he added.
Casting hasn’t been officially confirmed, but it’s expected that Dever and her fellow W.L.F. members—played by Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, and Spencer Lord—will return. Given Joel’s enduring influence on Ellie, fans are holding out hope that Pascal will also make a brief return.
There’s no premiere date yet, but production is likely to begin in 2026, according to Merced. In the meantime, viewers can catch up on both seasons of The Last of Us on Max.
With powerful performances, emotionally complex storytelling, and haunting cliffhangers, The Last of Us continues to prove why it’s one of the most compelling dramas on television. Season 3 promises more of what fans love—and fear.
