The same week The Last of Us creator and Naughty Dog Studios President Neil Druckmann (Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier) announced his departure from the TV adaptation, writer Halley Gross (Westworld, Broad City) has followed suit. In an Instagram post, Gross stated she would leave her “day-to-day work” on the HBO original series. View the entire post below.
Gross expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work on the project along with Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, Identity Thief), Druckmann, the cast, and crew. Much like Druckmann, Gross stated she has “some truly rad projects” ahead that she will seemingly focus on.
Premiering two years ago, The Last of Us is based on the best-selling PlayStation video game set in an apocalyptic United States ravaged by violence after an infectious parasite turns humans into zombies. Joel Miller, a scarred survivor, is tasked with smuggling a young girl, Ellie, from Boston to the West in search of an alleged cure to the virus. After forming a paternal bond with the teenage girl, Joel places the fate of humanity in his hands when he discovers Ellie’s life is the key to widespread immunity.
The second season premiered in April, with a shortened seven episodes. The season explored the first half of The Last of Us: Part II, the game’s sequel, which found Ellie and Joel living peacefully five years later. However, their harmonious growing pains are disrupted by violent revenge as sins from the past come to collect an unpaid debt. Season two’s story received divisive reactions amongst game purists and fans of the TV series. Both mediums introduced the protagonist, Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever (No One Will Save You, Apple Cider Vinegar) in the series. It was confirmed that the third season will leave Ellie’s perspective to follow Abby’s journey.
Paired with the mixed reaction to the second season, fans are split on what Gross’s leaving will mean for the upcoming third season.
Until the series returns, both seasons of The Last of Us are available to stream on Max.