As Season 2 of The Last of Us prepares to conclude with its seventh and final episode, the outlines for a follow-up are becoming clearer, promising a scale larger than initially anticipated. Craig Mazin, co-creator of the series alongside Neil Druckmann, confirms today what many had suspected: a third season will not be sufficient to fully adapt The Last of Us Part II. Since its debut on HBO, The Last of Us has taken a faithful yet condensed approach to adapting video game material. The first game was narrated across nine episodes, a temporal achievement. However, with Part II, the dynamics have shifted. Longer, denser, and more intricate in its storytelling and perspective shifts, the second installment of the game simply cannot fit into a single season without compromising its substance.
The creators promptly announced that the adaptation of the second game would span multiple seasons. Season 2, comprising seven episodes, centers on Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and sets the stage for an even broader story arc. Initially, it was presumed that Season 3 would carry forward Abby’s (portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever) narrative and potentially conclude the adaptation. However, this approach now seems too compressed. In an interview with Collider, Craig Mazin addressed the situation: “It would be endless.” He explained that the second game’s story includes numerous branches and “natural gaps in the narrative,” which allow for breaking up the story without compromising its integrity. Mazin also mentioned: “I think there’s a chance Season 3 will be longer than Season 2, because the narration and opportunities it allows are somewhat different.” He revisited one of the series’ pivotal moments—Joel’s death—as a “nuclear bomb in the story,” indicating that this event necessitates an urgent pace without room for diversions or slowing down, unlike the episode dedicated to Bill and Frank in Season 1. However, Season 3 could regain some tonal flexibility and structural openness, setting the stage for more nuanced development… and potentially a fourth season.
Therefore, patience will be required. Filming for Season 3 is unlikely to start before 2026, pushing its release back to late 2026 or possibly 2027. If Season 4 follows the same pace, the television conclusion of The Last of Us might not occur until 2028. Though time is long, the journey appears even more extensive than anticipated, and that’s a good thing!
