‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 3 Ahead of Season 2 Premiere

HBO is all in on The Last of Us. The network has officially renewed the Emmy-winning drama for a third season—days before season two makes its debut on Sunday, April 13.

Based on the acclaimed PlayStation video game franchise, the first season of The Last of Us captivated audiences and critics alike, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about new dramas in HBO history. With 24 Primetime Emmy nominations and a powerful fanbase behind it, the series is expanding its universe—one carefully constructed chapter at a time.

Season two will begin adapting The Last of Us Part II, the emotionally charged and action-heavy 2020 sequel to the original game. According to co-creator Craig Mazin, the story is so expansive that it was never intended to be told in a single season.

“We always knew we’d need more than one season to tell Part II the way it deserves,” Mazin told Variety. “It’s getting harder to make, because every episode gets big… but you don’t want to wait four years for a 17-episode finish, or whatever it is.”

In other words, they’re building it to last—thoughtfully, and with intention.

In a statement tied to the season three announcement, Mazin expressed pride in what’s to come:

“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.”

Co-creator and game director Neil Druckmann echoed the sentiment, calling the journey of adapting the series “a career highlight”:

“To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for the enthusiastic support from our community and thankful for the creative partnership we’ve built with Craig, HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions.”

Francesca Orsi, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, praised the work behind season two and the story still to come:

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

Season two picks up five years after the events of season one, with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) navigating an even more dangerous and unpredictable world—while also coming to terms with the emotional weight of what they’ve survived. Returning cast members include Gabriel Luna and Rutina Wesley, while new additions such as Kaitlyn Dever (as Abby), Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, Danny Ramirez, Jeffrey Wright, Catherine O’Hara, and more will bring new depth to the unfolding narrative.

Season two consists of seven episodes and will premiere Sunday, April 13 on HBO and Max. And with season three already in motion, The Last of Us continues to cement its place as one of the most ambitious and emotionally resonant genre dramas on television.