The Last of Us Season 3: Set to Premiere in 2027 on HBO Max—Here's What We Know

Season 3 of *The Last of Us* will be released in 2027, as confirmed by Casey Bloys, HBO’s CEO, in July 2025. Filming began in early March 2026. The season will consist of approximately nine episodes, according to Craig Mazin, who is now the sole showrunner following Neil Druckmann’s departure in July 2025. Bella Ramsey will reprise her role as Ellie, and Kaitlyn Dever will reprise her role as Abby. In France, the series airs on HBO Max.

Key points to remember

• Confirmed release date: 2027 (exact quarter not disclosed)
• Filming began in early March 2026
• About 9 episodes are planned, according to Craig Mazin
• Bella Ramsey (Ellie) and Kaitlyn Dever (Abby) have been confirmed
• Adapted from the second half of *The Last of Us Part II*
• Platform in France: HBO Max
• Craig Mazin, sole showrunner (Neil Druckmann stepped down in July 2025)

When is Season 3 of *The Last of Us* coming out?

Season 3 is expected in 2027. Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO, confirmed in July 2025 that "the series is definitely scheduled for 2027." No specific quarter has been announced at this time, but with filming having been underway since March 2026, a reasonable release window can be anticipated.

The gap between Season 2 (set to premiere in April 2025) and Season 3 is therefore about two years, just as it was between Season 1 and Season 2. This pace reflects the complexity of the production: special effects for the Infected, monumental sets, and strict weather windows in Canada.

How can I watch *The Last of Us* in France?

"The Last of Us" has been streaming on HBO Max in France since the platform's launch in June 2024. Previously, the series was available on OCS/Orange until the end of the exclusivity agreement with HBO.

HBO Max prices in 2026 start at €5.99/month for the ad-supported plan, €9.99/month for the Standard plan, and €13.99/month for the Premium plan. Before signing up, you can check out our detailed HBO Max review.

Seasons 1 and 2 (with their respective episodes) are available in their entirety on HBO Max France. You can therefore catch up before Season 3 premieres—which is actually recommended, given the complexity of the plot based on the game Part II.

How many episodes are there in Season 3?

Craig Mazin indicated that the format for Season 3 would be closer to the 9 episodes of Season 1, without confirming an exact number. By comparison, Season 2 was shorter, with 7 episodes.

This return to a longer format is justified by the source material being adapted: the second half of *The Last of Us Part II*, which covers Abby’s story arc in Seattle. This dense arc, which spans several days in the game, requires the narrative space of a full season.

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Who's in the cast of Season 3?

Two names are at the heart of this season. Bella Ramsey reprises her role as Ellie, a character she has played since Season 1. Kaitlyn Dever, who has played Abby since Season 2, takes center stage in Season 3, which adapts her main storyline from the game.

Pedro Pascal (Joel) is listed on the cast sheet, but his on-screen appearance has yet to be confirmed. Possible flashbacks leave the door open for his involvement, though there’s no guarantee. Joel’s character dies at the beginning of Season 2, which automatically limits his appearances outside of flashbacks.

HBO has not yet released the full list of new characters. Several names from the game are expected to appear, particularly the members of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) whom Abby meets in Seattle. Official announcements are expected to be made as filming progresses.

What will Season 3 be about?

Season 3 adapts the second half of *The Last of Us Part II*, which focuses on Abby's perspective in Seattle. This section of the game recounts the same events as the first half (as experienced by Ellie), but from the opposite perspective.

The narrative challenge is twofold. First, to establish Abby as a full-fledged heroine after introducing her as an antagonist in Season 2. Second, to manage the intersection of story arcs: Season 3 must revisit scenes we’ve already seen from a different perspective, which requires precise direction to ensure viewers don’t get lost.

Without giving away any spoilers about the game, the plot of Season 3 explores the rivalry between the WLF (Washington Liberation Front) and the Seraphites (the “scars”), a religious faction based on the islands around Seattle. These tensions serve as the backdrop for Abby’s choices.

For non-gamers, this narrative choice is one of the bold moves that made *The Last of Us Part II* a controversial yet critically acclaimed game. The experience of stepping into the shoes of a character portrayed as the enemy is a rare device in video games. The series now has the responsibility of capturing this device without watering it down.

The adaptation is made more complex by the expectations of the game's fans, who are already familiar with the plot twists. Craig Mazin has already demonstrated in Season 1 that he knows how to adapt the key plot points while taking targeted creative liberties. This approach is expected to continue in Season 3.

Why isn't Neil Druckmann the showrunner anymore?

Neil Druckmann, the game's co-creator and co-showrunner for the first two seasons, stepped down in July 2025. He publicly stated that he wanted to focus on Naughty Dog and the studio's future games after completing his work on Season 2 of the series.

Craig Mazin will therefore remain the sole showrunner for Season 3. This creative continuity is reassuring in terms of the project’s consistency: Mazin was already the lead writer on the scripts for the first two seasons, and his work on *Chernobyl* remains a benchmark for the HBO genre.

The shift to a single showrunner is fairly common at HBO. Many of the network's flagship series are led by a lead writer who leaves their mark on the entire production. This structure helps ensure consistency in tone and direction throughout the run of a series.

As a reminder, Craig Mazin is no stranger to high-profile TV series. His miniseries *Chernobyl*, released in 2019, won 10 Emmy Awards and remains one of HBO’s most acclaimed productions of the past decade. His narrative rigor is one of the strengths of the *The Last of Us* adaptation.

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Will there be a Season 4?

HBO has not yet officially confirmed a Season 4, but comments from Craig Mazin suggest that the adaptation could extend beyond Season 3. The material from *The Last of Us Part II* will not be fully covered in Season 3, and a potential *Part III* announced by Naughty Dog could provide the basis for an additional season.

For now, HBO has not announced any official decision. The decision will likely depend on how Season 3 is received and on Naughty Dog's plans for the future of the games. Stay tuned for official announcements in the coming months.

How can I reduce the cost of an HBO Max subscription?

HBO Max remains a paid subscription service in France, with no truly free plan available. To lower your monthly bill, a shared subscription is an option worth considering.

Through a dedicated platform like spliiit, it’s possible to share an HBO Max subscription with other verified users and split the cost. This solution remains within the legal framework for regulated sharing among users. HBO Max has announced changes to its sharing rules, making specialized platforms more relevant than ever.

What should I watch in the meantime?

While we wait for Season 3 of *The Last of Us* in 2027, HBO Max has other hit series to offer. Season 3 of *House of the Dragon* premieres on June 22, 2026, in France, with 8 episodes airing weekly.

For a broader overview of HBO Max releases, check out the list of all the latest HBO Max additions. It includes original series, recent movies, and new additions to the catalog.

Frequently asked questions

When is Season 3 of *The Last of Us* coming out?

Season 3 will be released in 2027, as confirmed by Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO, in July 2025. No specific quarter has been announced. Filming has been underway since March 2026, which makes a 2027 release consistent with the series' usual production schedule.

Where can I watch *The Last of Us* in France?

The series has been streaming in France on HBO Max since the platform launched in June 2024. Subscriptions start at €5.99/month (with ads) and go up to €13.99/month (Premium). Seasons 1 and 2 are available in their entirety.

How many episodes are there in Season 3?

Craig Mazin mentioned a format "closer to the 9 episodes of Season 1," without confirming a definitive number. By way of comparison, Season 2 had 7 episodes. Season 3 will therefore likely be longer to accommodate Abby's story arc.

Who plays Abby in Season 3?

Kaitlyn Dever plays Abby, a role she has held since Season 2. Season 3 places particular emphasis on this character, as it adapts the second half of *The Last of Us Part II*, which focuses on her perspective in Seattle.

Will there be a Season 4 of *The Last of Us*?

There has been no official confirmation from HBO to date. The decision will depend on the reception of Season 3 and announcements from Naughty Dog. The material for Part II may not be fully wrapped up by the end of Season 3, which leaves the door open for a sequel.

Can you share an HBO Max subscription?

HBO Max now restricts account sharing, just like Netflix and Disney+. Co-subscription through a specialized platform like spliiit to legally share a subscription with verified users while splitting the monthly cost of the subscription.