Get ready for a long wait, ‘The Last of Us’ fans. The hit HBO series, based on the popular video game, won’t return until 2027. That’s the word straight from HBO content executive Casey Bloys.
Bloys shared the news in a Variety interview published on Tuesday, July 15. Fans have been eager for more of the post-apocalyptic drama. Co-creator Craig Mazin confirmed a third season was coming before Season 2 wrapped up on May 25. Now we know it’s still years away.
The show’s future beyond 2027 is also up in the air. Bloys mentioned that Mazin is still figuring things out. They might split the story into two more seasons. Or, it could be one very long final season. "I’m following Craig’s lead," Bloys noted.
This news comes on the heels of another big change. Less than three weeks before Bloys’ announcement, co-creator Neil Druckmann said he was stepping away. Druckmann confirmed his departure on July 2. He shared a statement through his video game company, Naughty Dog.
Druckmann, 46, explained his decision. He completed his work on Season 2. He wants to focus fully on Naughty Dog now. The company, by the way, made the original ‘The Last of Us’ video games. He stated he needed to prioritize Naughty Dog’s future projects.
Pedro Pascal Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Bloys praised Druckmann’s work on the series. He noted that Druckmann juggles full-time game development with directing Naughty Dog. "It’s a very demanding job," Bloys told Variety. He added that he understood Druckmann’s need to focus. Still, Bloys believes the show is in good hands. He mentioned Mazin has a "good plan" for the series. The show picked up 16 Emmy nominations for the 2025 awards, announced on Tuesday.
Druckmann’s departure surprised many fans. Just a few months earlier, in April, he had expressed excitement for a third season. He said seeing ‘The Last of Us’ come to life was a career highlight. He thanked Mazin, HBO, and PlayStation Productions. He also gave a shout-out to Naughty Dog, the cast, and the crew. He had seemed very keen to continue bringing more of ‘The Last of Us’ to screens.
The future of Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, also came up. Pascal, 50, plays Joel. Joel dies in the second season of the show. The interviewer asked Bloys if filming without him would be "challenging." Bloys downplayed the idea. He said the series is true to the video game’s story. Joel’s death is a key part of the game. Bloys likes shows that "approach things from a different point of view."
For those who want to catch up, Seasons 1 and 2 of ‘The Last of Us’ are ready to stream. You can find them on HBO Max.