HBO has responded to the departure of The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann ahead of the show’s third season, with network executives expressing confidence the series will continue successfully.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, addressed Druckmann’s exit during interviews following HBO’s record-breaking 142 Emmy nominations. Druckmann, who created the original video game and co-developed the television adaptation, will step away from the show to focus on his role as head of Naughty Dog game studio.
“Obviously it was great to have Neil involved in the beginning,” Bloys told Variety. “The whole reason that I wanted to do Last of Us is after Chernobyl, I said to Craig [Mazin], ‘What do you want to do next?’ And Last of Us was what he wanted to do.”
Bloys emphasised that Druckmann’s departure was not due to creative differences but rather competing professional obligations. “A lot of people don’t realize that Neil has a full-time job creating video games and running Naughty Dog. It’s a really big job that he’s got,” he explained. “So I understand why he needs to focus on that.”
The HBO executive expressed confidence in remaining co-creator Craig Mazin’s ability to continue the series. “I believe he’s given us a good blueprint with the show. And obviously Craig is a pro, so I think we’ll be in excellent shape. I’m not worried at all,” Bloys said.
Season 3 is planned for the 2026-2027 television season, with Mazin still deciding whether to conclude the adaptation in one extended season or spread the story across two more seasons.
The upcoming season is expected to focus on Kaitlyn Dever’s character Abby, following events from the season two finale. The show faces potential casting challenges with Pedro Pascal’s Joel written out and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie role uncertain, though Bloys remains unconcerned about marketing implications.
“The title is obviously helped by the video game, and now the first two seasons are 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 has been one of HBO’s most successful series, earning critical acclaim and strong viewership since its 2023 debut. The show adapts the popular PlayStation video game franchise created by Druckmann at Naughty Dog.
Season 3 is set to premiere in 2027, with previous seasons available for streaming on Max.
