‘The Last of Us’ Will Need More Than Three Seasons, Says Showrunner Craig Mazin

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us.

The story of The Last of Us has never been about easy resolutions. Showrunner Craig Mazin knows this well and he’s not rushing to tie everything up neatly in Season 3. “There’s no way to complete this narrative in a third season,” Mazin told Collider. The HBO adaptation of the critically acclaimed video game may have stuck the landing in its first season, but it’s clear the second is only scratching the surface of what’s still to come.

Episode six of the latest season was a quiet storm: a look back at Joel and Ellie before their world shattered—again. It reminded audiences why their connection mattered and what was truly lost. As Ellie finally confronted Joel about what really happened at the Salt Lake hospital, the porch scene between Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal did more than provide answers. It ripped open old wounds. “Let’s just have them go for it, all the way.” Mazin said of the actors’ performance.

Mazin admits he was caught off guard by how many fans didn’t see Joel’s death coming, despite its legacy in the game. “I’m always surprised by how many people don’t. It was incredible. There were so many people in my life who were texting me like, “What?! No!” That was surprising.”

One of the more significant changes from the game was how Ellie and Dina’s relationship was developed. Mazin explained the choice to delay their physical relationship and include Tommy in Joel’s death scene, adding that the slower pace allowed for greater emotional impact. “We have the space to let things brew a little bit more,” he said, emphasizing how television offers narrative opportunities that games don’t.

The introduction of airborne spores in Season 2 was another key element Mazin discussed. Unlike the game, where spores were introduced earlier, the show delayed this to heighten the story’s tension. “Our whole thing about the spores is that we thought, when we do them, we want to do them because they need to happen with the way the story is functioning”. Mazin said. The spores became a crucial plot device, revealing Ellie’s immunity to Nora and other characters, adding layers to the narrative. “It was a way for Nora to realize instantly, just like how Dina realized instantly in the game, who Ellie is.”

Looking ahead, Mazin revealed the team has a master plan extending into Seasons 3 and 4 to ensure the story’s conclusion is thoughtfully crafted. “We always think ahead. We thought ahead to Season 3 and Season 4, to try to get as much visibility as we can, so that we don’t end up in a situation where we’re sitting down and getting into details for a season and then going, “Oh, man, if only we hadn’t had that person say that one line or be in that spot or wear that jacket.”

Mazin’s words mean that as the series continues to unfold, we can expect a deeply layered story that takes its time to explore the complexities of its characters and world. With seasons 3 and 4 already planned, The Last of Us is promising a rich conclusion that stays with the spirit of the original game while expanding its narrative in new and interesting ways.

The final episode of The Last of Us Season 2 airs this Sunday, you can check out the teaser below and you can read Craig Mazin’s full interview with Collider here.

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