Gabriel Luna has given the clearest picture yet of how Tommy Miller changes in The Last of Us Season 3, and the shift is bigger than a simple hero-to-villain switch. The actor, who plays Joel’s younger brother, says the show’s move into Abby’s perspective will make Tommy look like a monster to some people and a grieving uncle to others. Luna shared the thought while speaking with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley during promotion for The Terminal List Season 2.
The comment lands as HBO prepares the third and final season of its adaptation of the Naughty Dog games. Season 2 ended with Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) holding Tommy at gunpoint inside a theater, a gunshot, and a cut to black. Luna’s new remarks confirm Tommy survives that moment, matching the game’s events.
What Gabriel Luna Actually Said About Tommy
Luna explained the change as a matter of point of view, not a personality swap. The same man who has been a protector in Jackson becomes a frightening figure once the story sits with Abby and her group.
“Oh, I think it’s all a matter of perspective. To them, I’m the boogeyman. To us, I’m just there for my niece, and I’m trying to get out of town. I love that bit in the game, when you kind of encounter Tommy that way. I’m trying not to say too much, but there’s some great Tommy stuff in this season, and we’re so proud of it, and we’re ready to bring it home.”
The phrase “my niece” points to Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Tommy’s goal in the show has been tied to family, but the people on the other side of that mission see a man hunting them with a rifle. That dual image is the heart of the Season 3 change.
Why the Perspective Shift Changes Everything
The Last of Us Season 3 is built around Abby’s point of view. The game The Last of Us Part II famously asks players to spend long stretches as Abby after she kills Joel. Tommy appears in her story as a relentless pursuer, hunting her and her crew for revenge. From Abby’s side, Tommy is not a grieving brother; he is a dangerous man with a gun and a grudge.
The HBO show already made a major change in Season 2: Tommy was not present when Abby killed Joel. In the game, Tommy’s guilt and rage over Joel’s death push him toward a darker path. The show has kept Tommy away from that scene, so his Season 3 turn will come from a different emotional place. Luna’s comment suggests the show is still using the game’s “boogeyman” idea, but through the lens of perspective rather than direct revenge.
Tommy has been a leader in Jackson, Wyoming, alongside his wife Maria (Rutina Wesley). Season 2 showed him as a steadying figure in the community, not a cold hunter. When the camera moves to Abby’s side, that steady leader becomes the threat hiding in the trees.
When Season 3 Arrives and Who Is Coming Back
HBO has confirmed that The Last of Us Season 3 is planned for 2027. The season is the show’s final chapter, according to HBO programming chief Casey Bloys and showrunner Craig Mazin. An exact premiere date has not been announced.
Filming began in early March 2026, with production moving through post-production. The season will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max in the United States. Release details for the UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other global markets will follow HBO’s international rollout pattern, with streaming availability typically arriving through HBO Max and local partners in those regions.
Returning cast includes Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, and Spencer Lord as Owen. Jorge Lendeborg Jr. takes over the role of Manny from Danny Ramirez due to scheduling conflicts. New faces include John Goodman, Laura Bailey, Ian Alexander, Patrick Wilson, Clea DuVall, and Jason Ritter.
A Smaller but Heavier Role for Tommy
Luna’s comments make one thing clear: Tommy’s Season 3 screen time may not be the largest, but his presence hangs over the story. The show has already changed Tommy’s relationship to Joel’s death, and those changes mean his “boogeyman” turn will not play out exactly like the game. The perspective flip gives the character a new kind of weight without needing him in every scene.
The actor also said the team is proud of the Tommy material in the new season and ready to “bring it home,” a line that fits the show’s confirmed final-season plan. Season 3 closes the story that began with Joel and Ellie in 2023.
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What the Boogeyman Label Means for the Final Season
The “boogeyman” idea is not a claim that Tommy becomes a traditional villain. The shift is about whose eyes the audience is looking through. In the first two seasons, Tommy was a brother and an uncle. In Season 3, Abby’s story reframes him as a figure of fear. Both versions can be true at once, and that tension is the point Luna is describing.
The Last of Us Season 3 is in post-production and is scheduled for 2027 on HBO and HBO Max. An official premiere date has not been set.
Also Read: ‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 Filming Resumes With Abby’s Ambush Scene From the Game
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