‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 Promises a Darker, Wetter Shift as Creators Confirm Major Storyline
Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann tease a bold narrative pivot, spotlighting Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby and pushing creative boundaries for HBO’s acclaimed series.
During a recent Emmys FYC event celebrating The Last of Us Season 2, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann dropped significant hints about the direction of Season 3—confirming not only a major tonal shift but also who the next chapter will center around.
Appearing on two panels alongside key members of the crew—including cinematographer Ksenia Sereda, costume designer Ann Foley, editor Timothy Good, and more—the showrunners discussed the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into constructing the show’s meticulously detailed sets. Mazin remarked on their usual practice of “lighting things on fire, smashing them, tearing them down,” while Druckmann teased that Season 3 will change pace. “It’s more of a water season than a fire season,” he revealed, with Mazin adding, “It’s a wetter season than a hotter season.”
After a screening of Episode 2 from the latest season, the spotlight shifted to the cast. Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, and Young Mazino were present in person, while Kaitlyn Dever—currently filming in Australia—joined remotely. Dever, who plays Abby, was at the heart of the evening’s biggest reveal: Season 3 will focus on her controversial character.
Druckmann, reflecting on past failed attempts to adapt the video game, praised HBO for giving them creative freedom: “I was sure they wouldn’t let us do this when we started, but they’ve embraced what makes the story unique.” That includes the shocking and polarizing death of Pedro Pascal’s Joel in Season 2—a narrative choice that mirrors the game’s dramatic turn.
Moderating the panel, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney joked about Dever’s role in Joel’s death, calling Pascal “America’s Sweetheart” and quipping, “You killed him with a golf club!” Despite the jokes, Dever spoke sincerely about joining the show, saying she felt fully supported on set and wasn’t deterred by the backlash tied to Abby’s storyline.
Mazin defended the creative choice behind Joel’s fate, stating that such moments serve the show’s deeper purpose. “This isn’t a show about revenge—it’s about grief. And how are we supposed to grieve if no one we love ever dies?” he said, criticizing the concept of “plot armor” that shields key characters from consequences.
With Kaitlyn Dever now officially leading Season 3, The Last of Us seems ready to dive into even more emotionally charged and challenging territory, continuing to push boundaries in storytelling, world-building, and character arcs.
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