In a move that has both thrilled and surprised fans, HBO has officially renewed its critically acclaimed series The Last of Us for a third season, just days before the highly anticipated premiere of Season 2 on April 13, 2025. The announcement, made on April 9, 2025, underscores the network’s unwavering confidence in the post-apocalyptic drama, which has captivated audiences since its debut in 2023. As the show prepares to delve deeper into the harrowing world of The Last of Us Part II, the renewal raises questions about the story’s future, the creative direction of co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, and what lies ahead for characters Joel and Ellie. Let’s explore the significance of this early renewal and what it means for the series’ trajectory as of April 9, 2025.

A Bold Renewal Before Season 2 Even Airs

HBO’s decision to greenlight The Last of Us Season 3 before the second season has even premiered is a rare and bold move, signaling immense trust in the show’s continued success. According to reports from multiple outlets, including Dark Horizons and Variety, the renewal was announced on April 9, 2025, just four days before Season 2’s debut. This early commitment contrasts with the first season, which was renewed several episodes into its nine-episode run in 2023, as noted by GAMINGbible. The second season, consisting of seven episodes, is set to air weekly on HBO and Max, concluding by the end of May 2025.

The timing of the renewal has sparked varied reactions among fans. On platforms like X, some users expressed excitement, with posts describing the news as “expected” given the show’s popularity, while others were baffled by HBO’s decision to renew before gauging Season 2’s reception. One X user remarked, “More fear, less feelings,” reflecting a sentiment that the show might be veering too far into emotional drama at the expense of its horror roots, drawing comparisons to The Walking Dead’s perceived missteps. However, the consensus among fans appears to be one of anticipation, with many eager to see how the story unfolds.

Adapting The Last of Us Part II: A Multi-Season Journey

The Last of Us is based on the celebrated PlayStation video game franchise by Naughty Dog, with the first season adapting the events of The Last of Us Part I and earning widespread acclaim for its faithful yet enriched storytelling. Season 2, as confirmed by reviews on Dark Horizons and Variety, adapts the first half of The Last of Us Part II, a game known for its sprawling narrative and emotional depth. The decision to split Part II across multiple seasons was hinted at by co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann as early as 2024. Mazin told Deadline, “We don’t think that we’re going to be able to tell the story even within two seasons [2 and 3] because we’re taking our time to go down interesting pathways, which we did a little bit in Season 1, too.”

This deliberate pacing suggests that Season 3 will cover the latter half of Part II, potentially concluding the game’s storyline. However, Mazin and Druckmann have teased the possibility of a fourth season, with Mazin noting in a 2023 Deadline interview that “four seems like a good number” for the total number of seasons. This aligns with HBO executive Francesca Orsi’s comments, reported by Meristation, confirming the network’s support for a multi-season arc. The storyline of Part II, which is nearly twice as long as the first game, dives deeper into the characters’ struggles in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection, focusing on Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) five years after the events of Season 1.

Critical Reception and HBO’s Confidence

The early renewal is backed by glowing reviews for Season 2, which have already positioned it as one of the best-reviewed shows of 2025. Dark Horizons reported that the seven-episode season holds an 83/100 on Metacritic based on over three dozen reviews, just one point shy of Season 1’s 84/100. It ranks behind shows like Adolescence (91) and Severance Season 2 (86) but ahead of The White Lotus Season 3 (77) and The Pitt (76). The trailer for Season 2 also broke network records, according to GAMINGbible, further fueling HBO’s confidence in the show’s ability to draw millions of viewers.

HBO Executive Vice President Francesca Orsi praised the second season as an “outstanding achievement,” per HuffPost, while Mazin and Druckmann expressed pride in their collaboration with HBO. “The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew,” Mazin stated, as reported by Yahoo News. Druckmann added, “To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans’ enthusiastic and overwhelming support,” according to MovieWeb. This mutual admiration between the network and creators highlights the strong foundation on which Season 3 will be built.

What to Expect from Season 3

While specific details about Season 3 remain under wraps, the renewal provides insight into the show’s future direction. Season 2 picks up five years after the events of Season 1, with Joel and Ellie living in the seemingly secure community of Jackson, Wyoming, as noted by Hindustan Times. The season introduces new characters from Part II, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, and Young Mazino as Jesse, alongside returning cast members like Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley, per Just Jared. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars, adding to the ensemble’s star power.

Reviews of Season 2, such as those from Variety and Vulture, praise its production quality, from the lushly overgrown cityscapes to the harrowing battles against the Infected, particularly in an episode directed by Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones). However, some critics, like IGN, have noted that Season 2 feels like “a story barely half-told,” with key moments falling flat due to the bifurcated structure of adapting Part II. This suggests that Season 3 will be crucial in delivering the emotional and narrative payoff that fans of the game expect, particularly given the game’s reputation for its devastating twists and complex character arcs.

Mazin has hinted that Season 3 will be “significantly larger” than Season 2, according to Deadline, potentially featuring longer episodes and more action-packed sequences. Given the depth of Part II’s story, Season 3 is likely to explore the consequences of Joel’s actions at the end of Season 1—namely, his decision to save Ellie from the Fireflies by killing their doctors, preventing a potential cure for the infection. This choice, which Ellie remains unaware of, sets the stage for the moral dilemmas and cycles of violence that define Part II, as highlighted in reviews by IndieWire and The Hollywood Reporter.

Fan Expectations and the Future Beyond Season 3

The early renewal has also sparked speculation about the show’s long-term future. While The Last of Us Part II provides enough material for Seasons 2 and 3, the possibility of a fourth season raises questions about whether the series will extend beyond the existing games. Naughty Dog has not yet released The Last of Us Part III, and Forbes reports that the studio’s next project, a sci-fi story titled Intergalactic, is slated for a late 2027 debut. This means any potential Part III game—and a corresponding Season 4—wouldn’t arrive until well into the 2030s. Mazin has reassured fans that the show won’t overstay its welcome like Game of Thrones, stating in an interview with MovieWeb that the story “will come to an end, whether it is in Season 3 or Season 4.”

Fans of the video game series are already anticipating key moments from Part II, with some debating whether a pivotal, game-defining event will occur early in Season 2 or be delayed to heighten suspense, as noted by Forbes. The show’s creators have a history of taking creative liberties, such as expanding Bill and Frank’s story in Season 1’s acclaimed Episode 3, “Long, Long Time.” This willingness to explore “interesting pathways,” as Mazin described, suggests that Season 3 may also diverge from the game in unexpected ways, potentially deepening the emotional impact of Joel and Ellie’s journey.

A Cultural Phenomenon with Staying Power

The Last of Us has solidified its place as a cultural phenomenon, breaking the curse of poorly received video game adaptations when its first season premiered in 2023, as noted by The Independent. The series skyrocketed Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey to fame, with the duo earning praise for their nuanced portrayals of Joel and Ellie, survivors navigating a world overrun by zombie-like Infected. The show’s Emmy-winning first season amassed millions of viewers, and its second season is poised to continue that success, with HBO banking on its ability to maintain critical and audience acclaim.

The renewal also reflects HBO’s broader strategy of investing in high-quality, narrative-driven dramas. The network has a history of supporting ambitious projects like Succession and The White Lotus, both of which have been mentioned alongside The Last of Us in recent reviews. However, HBO’s decision to renew before Season 2 airs could be seen as a gamble, especially given the mixed fan reactions to the pacing and emotional focus of the series. While the show’s production quality and performances are widely praised, some fans on X have expressed a desire for “more fear, less feelings,” indicating a potential divide in expectations that Season 3 will need to address.

Conclusion

The official renewal of The Last of Us for Season 3 on April 9, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the HBO series, affirming its status as one of the network’s flagship dramas. With Season 2 set to premiere on April 13, 2025, and early reviews praising its production and emotional depth, HBO’s confidence in the show’s future is well-founded. However, the decision to split The Last of Us Part II across multiple seasons means that Season 3 will be pivotal in delivering the story’s full impact, potentially setting the stage for a fourth season to conclude Joel and Ellie’s journey.

As fans prepare for the emotional rollercoaster of Season 2, the promise of Season 3 offers reassurance that the story is far from over. Whether The Last of Us can maintain its balance of horror, heart, and humanity remains to be seen, but for now, HBO’s early renewal signals that the network—and its audience—are all in for the ride. In a world overrun by Infected, the real question is: how much more can Joel and Ellie endure before they find peace—or lose everything trying? Only time, and Season 3, will tell.