'The Last of Us' Season 3 moves closer as Kaitlyn Dever shares a major production update

'The Last of Us' Season 2 ended on a cliffhanger, leaving Ellie's fate hanging in the balance
PUBLISHED JAN 27, 2026
A still of Kaitlyn Dever from 'The Last of Us' (Cover Image Source: Instagram | @thelastofus)
A still of Kaitlyn Dever from 'The Last of Us' (Cover Image Source: Instagram | @thelastofus)

Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the post-apocalyptic drama series 'The Last of Us' debuted in 2023 and quickly became a fan favorite. Adapted from the video game of the same name, Season 2 completely changed the narrative with the shocking death of Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), making Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) the centre of the plotline. With the Season 2 finale leaving Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) fate uncertain, fans are eager to know what lies ahead, and we've got the full scoop.

A still from 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 trailer (YouTube/@max)
A still from 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 trailer (Image Source: YouTube |@max)

In surprising news, Dever has confirmed that she's gearing up to begin filming 'The Last of Us' Season 3. The actress revealed in an interview with Deadline that she's preparing both mentally and physically for the shoot. Dever shared that she'll soon travel to British Columbia to begin preparations. "I'm getting mentally and physically prepped right now. I go up in a couple days, actually, to start prep over there. I'm so excited to kind of take on a much bigger role in the season."

Dever also expressed excitement about Abby stepping into the spotlight following Joel's death and her quest for revenge. Talking about 'The Last of Us' Season 2 conclusion, the episode ended by rewinding the story to 'Day 1' of Abby's journey, setting up a major perspective shift for the next chapter. Dever teased that this change will give fans much-needed context behind Abby's choices, sharing, "The fans are really going to like it, I think, the shifting perspective onto Abby, getting some more context onto her storyline, and going back in time with this season. So, I'm very excited for the fans to see it."

While HBO has not confirmed a premiere date for Season 3, a 2027 release appears most likely, given that filming has yet to begin and the two-year gap between the show's first two seasons. Notably, 'The Last of Us' Season 2 ended on multiple cliffhangers, including a shocking gunshot followed by a cut to black that left Ellie's fate uncertain. With Season 3 set to rewind and focus on Abby's story, it remains unclear when that gunshot moment will be addressed. 

The show, set in a zombie-ravaged world, stars Ramsey, Dever, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino, as per ScreenRant. The show has been met with widespread critical acclaim, earning a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and major recognition from the Emmys, Golden Globes, and Critics' Choice Awards. As fans await Season 3, Dever's update signals an important production step as filming preparations begin. Meanwhile, Abby stepping into the spotlight in Season 3 hints at a bold shift that promises to answer viewers' lingering questions.

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