With the highly anticipated second season premiering this weekend, HBO has renewed The Last of Us early for season three. The announcement was made in a post via HBO’s official X account.

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

— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 9, 2025

The critically acclaimed adaptation of the popular Sony PlayStation video game franchise returns for a second season this Sunday. Starring Pedro Pascal (Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (His Dark Materials, Hilda), the series follows two strangers’ journey across the country ravaged by a zombie-manifesting parasite. Pascal’s Joel, traumatized by a grave loss, finds himself smuggling Ramsey’s Ellie cross-country in hopes of developing a cure for the virus. Along the way, he forms a paternal bond with the young girl, leading to a perilous choice.

Set five years later, season two will find Joel and Ellie battling the repercussions of his actions. In addition to Pascal and Ramsey, returning cast members include Rutina Wesley (True Blood, Queen Sugar) as Maria and Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Joel’s brother, Tommy. New cast additions include an array of characters from The Last of Us: Part II: Kaitlyn Dever will portray Abby; Isabela Merced (Transformers: The Last Knight, Instant Family) is Dina, Ellie’s love interest; Young Mazino (BEEF, Blindspot) is Jesse; Ariela Barer portrays Mel; and Tati Gabrielle (You, Kaleidoscope) will take on the role of Nora.

Rounding out the cast is Jeffrey Wright (The Agency, American Fiction), reprising his role as Isaac, Danny Ramírez (Captain America: Brave New World, Assassination Nation) as Manny, Spencer Lord (Riverdale, Family Law) playing Owen, and guest star Catherine O’Hara (The Studio, Schitt’s Creek) in an undisclosed role.

Francesca Orsi, Executive VP, HBO Programming & Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, stated in the press release: “It can’t be overemphasized how proud HBO is for the outstanding achievement we believe the second season of THE LAST OF US is. Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the entire executive producer team, cast and crew have delivered a masterful follow-up and we’re thrilled to carry the power of Craig and Neil’s storytelling into what we know will be an equally moving and extraordinary third season.”

Co-creators Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, Dune) and Neil Druckmann (Uncharted, Jax and Daxter: The Lost Frontier) issued separate statements regarding the Emmy-winning series and its renewal.

“We approached season two with the goal of creating something we could be proud of,” Mazin said via the press release. “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. We look forward to continuing the story of The Last of Us with season three!”

Druckmann praised Mazin and the PlayStation Productions team, saying, “To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans’ enthusiastic and overwhelming support. Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our team at PlayStation Productions. On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog, our cast, and crew, thank you so much for allowing us this opportunity. We’re thrilled to bring you more of The Last of Us!”

Mazin and Druckmann write, direct, and executive produce the series along with Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog. Carolyn Strauss (Game of Thrones, Somebody Somewhere), Jacqueline Lesko (Superhero Movie, Bruce Almighty), Cecil O’Connor (The Fall Guy, Jurassic World: Dominion), Asad Qizilbash (Twisted Metal, Gran Turismo), Carter Shawn (Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds, Boredom), and Evan Wells (The Last of Us: Part I, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves) are executive producers with writer and co-executive producer, Halley Gross (Westworld, Banshee).

Watch the second season premiere of The Last of Us Sunday, April 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.