Creators Confirm ‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 Will See Abby Take Center Stage

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us.

Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have offered the first clear confirmation of where The Last of Us is headed next. During a For Your Consideration event held Tuesday in support of Season 2, the co-creators revealed that Season 3 will place Abby at the center of the story, with Kaitlyn Dever continuing in the role.

Speaking during a panel alongside key crew including cinematographer Ksenia Sereda and editor Timothy Good, Druckmann hinted at a visual shift in the series’ next chapter. “We tend to light things on fire, smash them, tear them down.” They describe season 3 to be “more of a water season than a fire season,” he said, referring to the broader tone and aesthetic. Mazin followed up with his own take: “It’s a wetter season than a hotter season.”

Later in the evening, Mazin and Druckmann rejoined a second panel with cast members Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced, and Gabriel Luna. Dever appeared remotely, joining from a project in Australia.

Druckmann acknowledged that adapting the controversial beats of the video game wasn’t a given. “I was sure that they wouldn’t let us do this when we started adapting this,” he said. “But they’ve leaned into what makes, I believe, the story special. And allowed us not only the time but the creative freedom to be able to take these swings.”

The storyline involving Abby has long divided fans, in part due to her role in killing Joel, played by Pedro Pascal. That plot point remains intact. “The decisions are just what the story required,” Druckmann said. “Even now, it’s like I can’t believe that they let us structure the series in this way.” Meaning like we just ended season two, and season three is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn.”

Dever addressed the backlash head-on: “The controversy surrounding Abby was never really a concern for me, just given my first meeting with Craig and Neil and how wonderful they are and how talented they are. Getting on set, I’ve never felt so carried on a set in my life.”

Mazin closed with a pointed view on narrative risk. “Plot armor is a real problem,” he said. “This is not a show about revenge, it’s a show about grief. Well, how are we supposed to grieve if nobody we truly, truly are invested in dies?”

With season three set to explore Abby’s perspective, The Last of Us continues to challenge expectations. The creative team remains committed to delivering a story that is as emotionally raw as it is visually striking.

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