Followers of The Final of Us are eagerly anticipating the HBO collection’ third season.
Proper earlier than season two wrapped on Could 25, the present’s cocreator Craig Mazin confirmed that the post-apocalyptic drama, starring Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced and (every now and then) Pedro Pascal, would return for a 3rd season.
Virtually two months later, HBO content material CEO Casey Bloys hinted throughout an interview with Selection, printed on Tuesday, July 15, that followers might have to be affected person forward of The Final of Us’ return.
“The collection is unquestionably deliberate for 2027,” Bloys confirmed, earlier than increasing on what the way forward for the TV collection, based mostly on the online game franchise, would possibly appear to be. “Craig remains to be working it out whether or not it is going to be two extra seasons or yet another lengthy season. It hasn’t been determined but, and I’m following Craig’s lead on that.”
The information into its return comes lower than three weeks after The Final of Us cocreator Neil Druckmann confirmed that he’s stepping down from the present forward of its return to screens.
In a press release shared via his online game firm, Naughty Canine, on July 2, Druckmann, 46, detailed his plans. “I’ve made the troublesome resolution to step away from my inventive involvement in The Final of Us on HBO,” the assertion learn. “With work accomplished on season 2 and earlier than any significant work begins on season 3, now’s the correct time for me to transition my full focus to Naughty Canine and its future tasks.” (Naughty Canine developed the unique Final of Us video video games.)

Pedro Pascal Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Photos
In Bloys’ interview, the community government praised Druckmann’s contributions to the TV collection, which attracted 16 Emmy nominations when the 2025 record of nominees was introduced on Tuesday, July 15.
“It was implausible to have Neil concerned. Lots of people don’t understand that Neil has a full time job creating video video games and working Naughty Canine. It’s a extremely massive job that he’s received. So I perceive why he must deal with that,” Bloys advised the outlet. “However I imagine he’s given us an excellent blueprint with the present. And clearly Craig is a professional, so I feel we’ll be in glorious form. I’m not fearful in any respect.”
Druckmann’s departure from the collection got here as a shock to followers who have been advised in April by Druckmann himself that he was on board with persevering with with a 3rd season.
Druckmann launched a press release on the time that detailed his enthusiasm. “To see The Final of Us delivered to life so fantastically and faithfully has been a profession spotlight for me, and I’m grateful for the followers’ enthusiastic and overwhelming assist,” the assertion learn. “A lot of that success is because of my companion in crime, Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO, and our workforce at PlayStation Productions. On behalf of everybody at Naughty Canine, our forged, and crew, thanks a lot for permitting us this chance. We’re thrilled to carry you extra of The Final of Us.”
Bloys’ interview additionally mentioned the onscreen absence of Pascal, 50, whose character Joel was killed throughout season two. When requested if filming with out the actor would possibly show “difficult,” Bloys watered the notion down. “I feel the title is clearly helped by the online game, and now the primary two seasons is fairly effectively established. I form of recognize reveals that take issues and do a present from a special perspective,” Bloys mentioned. (The Final of Us’ TV adaptation follows the unique video video games’ plot, which additionally killed off Pascal’s character.)
The Final of Us seasons 1 and a pair of can be found to stream on HBO Max.

