Major news, even if it was widely anticipated: HBO's The Last of Us has officially been renewed for Season 3, announced just days before the Season 2 premiere on Max.
“It can’t be for nothing,” Max declared across its social media platforms on April 9, 2025. “Season 3 is coming.” The message was accompanied by a striking video featuring a glowing red flare in the lower corner, amplifying the suspenseful tone.
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 been met with widespread critical acclaim, hailed by many as the finest video game adaptation to date. The first season earned an impressive eight Emmy Awards out of 24 nominations. Season 2 will welcome back leads Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as Ellie and Joel, with Kaitlyn Dever joining the cast as Abby—a determined soldier driven by vengeance after a devastating personal loss. The new season also introduces Young Mazino, Isabelle Merced, Danny Ramirez, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright to the growing ensemble.
In a recent interview with IGN, series creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann shared their thoughts on the enduring moral debate: “Was Joel right?”—a question that has defined the franchise since the original game’s 2013 release.“I believe Joel was right,” said Druckmann, head of Naughty Dog. “If I were in Joel's position, I hope I would have done the same to save my daughter.” Mazin, however, offered a more conflicted perspective. “That’s so interesting, because I think that if I were in Joel's position, I probably would have done what he did,” he noted. “But I’d like to think I wouldn’t. That’s the complex moral tension that makes the ending so powerful. It doesn’t give you easy answers—it forces you to sit with the discomfort.”
The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on April 13, 2025. While details about Season 3 remain under wraps, fans can look forward to more of the gripping storytelling and emotional depth that have become hallmarks of the series. For more, check out IGN's spoiler-free review of The Last of Us Season 2.
