HBO Officially Renews The Last of Us for a Third Season

HBO has officially renewed its Emmy®-winning post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us for a third season, well before the premiere of its highly anticipated second season. The news solidifies the network’s unwavering confidence in the show’s storytelling power and its cultural impact.

Season Two Premieres April 13 on HBO and Max

The seven-episode second season of The Last of Us debuts Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will also be available for streaming on Max. Set five years after the harrowing events of Season 1, the new season promises deeper emotional conflicts and even more dangerous obstacles for its protagonists.

According to the official logline: “Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.”

A Stacked Returning Cast and Stellar New Additions

Returning to the series are fan favorites:

• Pedro Pascal as Joel
• Bella Ramsey as Ellie
• Gabriel Luna as Tommy
• Rutina Wesley as Maria

Joining them in Season 2 is a powerhouse slate of new cast members bringing to life key characters from the critically acclaimed video game The Last of Us Part II:

• Kaitlyn Dever as Abby
• Isabela Merced as Dina
• Young Mazino as Jesse
• Ariela Barer as Mel
• Tati Gabrielle as Nora
• Spencer Lord as Owen
• Danny Ramirez as Manny
• Jeffrey Wright, reprising his video game role as Isaac
• Catherine O’Hara in a surprise guest role

The casting choices reflect the show’s continued commitment to rich, character-driven narratives grounded in authentic performances.

HBO’s Endorsement: “Television at Its Peak”

Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming and Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, praised the creative team’s efforts:

“It can’t be overemphasized how proud HBO is for the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of The Last of Us is. Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the entire executive producer team, cast, and crew have delivered a masterful follow-up, and we’re thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil’s storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season.”

Creative Visionaries Reflect on the Renewal

Series co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner Craig Mazin shared his excitement for what lies ahead:

“We approached season two with the goal of creating something we could be proud of. The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew. We look forward to continuing the story of The Last of Us with season three!”

Co-creator and The Last of Us game director Neil Druckmann, whose vision first launched the franchise in 2013, added:

“To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans’ enthusiastic and overwhelming support. Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions. On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog, our cast, and crew, thank you so much for allowing us this opportunity. We’re thrilled to bring you more of The Last of Us!”

Critics Are Already Raving About Season Two

Even ahead of its debut, The Last of Us Season 2 has garnered high praise from early critic screenings. Descriptions range from “gorgeous & harrowing” (Variety) to “brilliant & beautiful” (IndieWire).

Other standout reactions include:

• “Impeccable performances” – USA Today
• “Jaw-dropping action” – The Hollywood Reporter
• “Television at its peak” – Empire
• “One of 2025’s best seasons of TV” – Collider

The combination of character depth, emotional complexity, and cinematic visuals continues to set The Last of Us apart in the golden age of television.

Production Powerhouses Behind the Series

Based on the award-winning video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog for PlayStation® consoles, The Last of Us is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.

The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television, and also includes executive producers:

• Carolyn Strauss
• Jacqueline Lesko
• Cecil O’Connor
• Asad Qizilbash
• Carter Swan
• Evan Wells

Writer and co-executive producer Halley Gross also returns, ensuring that the emotional tone and character arcs remain faithful to the game while pushing the story forward.

The production companies involved include:

• PlayStation Productions
• Word Games
• Mighty Mint
• Naughty Dog

Looking Ahead: Season Three and Beyond

While plot details for Season 3 remain tightly under wraps, fans can expect the show to continue adapting the darker and more complex themes from The Last of Us Part II, with the same cinematic scope and emotional intensity that defined its earlier seasons.

With HBO’s full support and the passionate commitment of its creators and cast, The Last of Us is cementing its legacy as one of television’s most groundbreaking dramas.

Season Two of The Last of Us premieres Sunday, April 13, 2025, on HBO and Max.
Prepare for heartbreak, humanity, and high-stakes survival as the journey of Joel and Ellie continues, followed by an even more explosive third season.