Major news, though not entirely unexpected: HBO's The Last of Us has been officially renewed for Season 3, just days before the premiere of Season 2 on Max. The announcement came via Max's social media channels on April 9, with a cryptic message stating, “It can’t be for nothing. Season 3 is coming,” accompanied by a video featuring a deep red flare burning brightly in the bottom corner, adding to the anticipation and intrigue.

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

— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 9, 2025

The Last of Us made its debut in January 2023 and quickly gained critical acclaim, often hailed as the finest video game adaptation to date. Its inaugural season secured an impressive eight Emmy awards from 24 nominations, setting high expectations for the forthcoming Season 2. This upcoming season will see the return of stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as Ellie and Joel, with Kaitlyn Dever joining the cast as Abby, a soldier driven by vengeance following a profound personal loss. The ensemble is further enriched by new additions such as Beef star Young Mazino, Alien: Romulus's Isabelle Merced, Captain America: Brave New World's Danny Ramirez, and esteemed actors Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Wright.

In a recent discussion with IGN, series creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann delved into the ongoing debate surrounding Joel's controversial decision at the end of the original game. Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog, expressed his belief in Joel's actions, stating, “I believe Joel was right. If I were in Joel's position, I hope I would be able to do what he did to save my daughter.” Conversely, Mazin, known for his work on Chernobyl, offered a different perspective, saying, “That's so interesting, because I think that if I were in Joel's position, I probably would have done what he did. 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 is set to premiere on Max on April 13, 2025. While fans eagerly await this release, the release date for Season 3 remains uncertain. For more insights, check out IGN's spoiler-free review of The Last of Us Season 2.