In a move that surprises no one, HBO's acclaimed series, *The Last of Us*, has been officially renewed for a thrilling Season 3, announced just days before the much-anticipated premiere of Season 2 on Max. On April 9, Max made the announcement through its social media channels, accompanied by an evocative video featuring a deep red flare burning brightly in the corner, and the chilling caption, “It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming.”
It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/q5HxyvK9O6
— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 9, 2025
Since its debut in January 2023, *The Last of Us* has garnered widespread acclaim, often hailed as the finest video game adaptation to date. Its first season clinched eight Emmy awards from a total of 24 nominations. As fans eagerly await Season 2, they can look forward to seeing Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal reprise their roles as Ellie and Joel, respectively, with Kaitlyn Dever joining the cast as Abby, a soldier driven by a quest for vengeance following a profound loss. The ensemble is further enriched by the addition of *Beef* star Young Mazino, *Alien: Romulus* star Isabelle Merced, *Captain America: Brave New World* star Danny Ramirez, and legends Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Wright.
Recently, series creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann shared their thoughts with IGN on the ongoing debate surrounding Joel's controversial decision at the end of the game. Neil Druckmann, head of Naughty Dog, expressed his belief in Joel's actions, stating, "I believe Joel was right. If I were in Joel's position, I hope I would be able to do what he did to save my daughter." On the other hand, Craig Mazin, the showrunner behind *Chernobyl*, offered a nuanced perspective, "That's so interesting, because I think that if I were in Joel's position, I probably would have done what he did. But I'd like to think that I wouldn't. That's the interesting push and pull of the morality of it. And that's why the ending of the first game is so provocative and so wonderful. It just doesn't let you off the hook as a player."
*The Last of Us* Season 2 is set to premiere on Max on April 13, 2025. While the release date for Season 3 remains undisclosed, fans can dive into IGN's spoiler-free review of Season 2 for a deeper look into what's in store.
