Pedro Pascal’s Joel Miller Will Not Return in The Last of Us Season 3; Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby Takes Center Stage
Fans hoping to see Pedro Pascalreprise his role as Joel Miller in The Last of Us Season 3 will be disappointed. The HBO series has confirmed that the upcoming season will focus on Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby, following the events of Season 2, where Joel was killed off.
The second season of The Last of Us shocked viewers when Abby brutally murdered Joel early on. This pivotal moment set the stage for Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) revenge-driven storyline. While Joel’s death was a major turning point, some fans speculated that flashbacks or visions might bring Pascal back. However, show creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have made it clear that Season 3 will shift focus entirely to Abby’s perspective.
“I can’t believe that they let us structure the series in this way,” Druckmann said during an Emmys panel. “We just ended Season 2, and Season 3 is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn.”
Mazin added that the show’s narrative requires bold choices. “In a show where we try to keep things as grounded as possible, sometimes the people we can’t imagine dying, die. This is not a show about revenge. It’s a show about grief.”
Pedro Pascal Moves On to New Projects Like Materialists
With Joel’s story concluded, Pedro Pascal has shifted his focus to other roles. His latest film, Materialists, released on June 13, 2025, stars him alongside Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans. The romantic drama, directed by Celine Song, follows a matchmaker caught in a love triangle between a wealthy financier (Pascal) and her struggling ex-boyfriend (Evans).
Song revealed that Pascal’s role as Harry was shaped by his ability to balance charm and vulnerability. “What excited me about Pedro is how inside, just beyond his tough exterior, is a very vulnerable person,” she told Variety.
Despite Joel’s absence in The Last of Us Season 3, Pascal remains a fan favorite. His performance in the series earned widespread acclaim, making his character’s death one of the most talked-about TV moments of 2025.
Season 3 will go deeper into Abby’s backstory, exploring her motivations and relationships. Druckmann hinted that the new season will be “more of a water season than a fire season,” suggesting a shift in tone.
While Joel won’t return, Mazin teased that other characters might reappear in unexpected ways. “We haven’t seen the last of Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced, or even some characters who are currently dead,” he said cryptically.
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