"The Last of Us Renewed for Season 3 Before Season 2 Debut"

Major news, even if we all saw it coming: HBO's The Last of Us has officially been renewed for Season 3, less than a week before the premiere of Season 2 on Max.

"It can’t be for nothing," Max revealed via its social media channels on April 9. "Season 3 is coming." A deep red flare is featured burning bright in the bottom corner of a video accompanying the ominous caption.

It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/q5HxyvK9O6

— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 9, 2025

The Last of Us premiered in January 2023 to widespread acclaim, often hailed as the best video game adaptation to date. Season 1 garnered eight Emmy awards from 24 nominations. The much-anticipated Season 2 will bring back leads Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as Ellie and Joel, joined by newcomer Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, a soldier driven by revenge after a personal loss. Joining the cast for Season 2 are Beef star Young Mazino, Alien: Romulus star Isabelle Merced, Captain America: Brave New World star Danny Ramirez, and legends Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Wright.

"I believe Joel was right," said the Naughty Dog studio head. "If I were in Joel's position, I hope I would be able to do what he did to save my daughter." However, Mazin offered a different view. "That's so interesting, because I think that if I were in Joel's position, I probably would have done what he did," the Chernobyl showrunner stated. "But I'd like to think that I wouldn't. That's the interesting push and pull of the morality of it. And that's why the ending of the first game is so provocative and so wonderful. It just doesn't let you off the hook as a player."

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on April 13, 2025 — but as for a release date for Season 3, that remains undisclosed. For more insights, check out IGN's spoiler-free review of The Last of Us Season 2.