HBO’s The Last of Us recently lost Neil Druckmann as a director and co-showrunner, but a top boss at the company is not worried about his departure from the popular series. HBO content chairman Casey Bloys commented on Druckmann’s departure and revealed a 2027 window for Season 3 in a new interview.
He told Variety that it was “great to have Neil involved in the beginning.” Druckmann helped provide a “blueprint” for where the TV series is headed. That, combined with how the show’s other top boss, Craig Mazin, is staying on, helps Bloys have faith the show will be fine.
“So I think we’ll be in excellent shape. I’m not worried at all,” he said.
Bloys also said it’s important to remember that Druckmann was working on The Last of Us TV show at the same time as managing his full-time responsibilities at Naughty Dog.
“It’s a really big job that he’s got. So I understand why he needs to focus on that,” Bloys said.
Druckmann announced his departure from the TV series earlier this month, saying he was stepping back to focus on writing and directing Naughty Dog’s new game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann is Studio Head and Head of Creative at Naughty Dog and is spending more time focused on those roles now that he’s left the TV series.
Season 3 is “Definitely planned for 2027”
Also in the interview, Bloys revealed that The Last of Us Season 3 is “definitely planned for 2027.” He also clarified that Mazin is still working out how to end The Last of Us.
“Craig is still working it out whether it will be two more seasons or one more long season. It hasn’t been decided yet, and I’m following Craig’s lead on that,” Bloys said.
Previously, Mazin had said a fourth season would be essential to closing things out properly. “There’s no way to complete this narrative in a third season. Hopefully, we’ll earn our keep enough to come back and finish it in a fourth,” Mazin said.
Finally, Bloys addressed the fact that Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, has been killed off, and that the next episodes are expected to focus on Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby as opposed to Bella Ramsey’s Ellie. Does that present a challenge in marketing and promoting the series? Bloys doesn’t think so.
“I think the title is obviously helped by the video game, and now the first two seasons is pretty well established. I kind of appreciate shows that take things and do a show from a different point of view,” he said.
The Last of Us picked up 16 Emmy nominations this week, including a nod for Best Drama. The first season received 24 nominations, bringing the show’s total to 40 across its first two seasons.
