Bella Ramsey has confirmed that scripts for the third season of The Last of Us exist and are moving forward. The actor shared this news while attending the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4, where they were nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series. While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Ramsey confirmed they had seen the new scripts, offering fans the first solid sign of progress for the upcoming season.
The Script Update From the Red Carpet
When asked about the status of The Last of Us Season 3 on the Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet, Bella Ramsey gave a direct but lighthearted confirmation.
“Yes, and I’ve just seen them. I’m really bad at reading things. Takes me a long time,” Ramsey told The Hollywood Reporter.
This statement confirms that the writing phase for the new season is advanced enough for scripts to be shared with the principal cast. While Ramsey joked about their reading speed, the news solidifies that the show’s creative team, now operating under a new structure, is actively preparing for production. The series was officially renewed for a third season in April 2025, just before the second season premiered.
A Major Creative Change Behind the Scenes
The development of Season 3 is progressing without the day-to-day involvement of a key creator. Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of the original video game and co-showrunner for the first two seasons of the HBO series, stepped back from his active role in July 2025. He made this decision to focus on new video game projects at Naughty Dog, including a major new title called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
This leaves Craig Mazin as the sole showrunner for Season 3. When asked about Druckmann’s departure, Bella Ramsey expressed confidence in the transition, stating that the foundation he built remains strong.
“I think that he left us in such good stead. He still will always be part of the fabric, it’s literally his creation, the whole world. So, he’s still there even though he’s not. So, I think it’ll be fine,” Ramsey said.
Druckmann himself has clarified that he is not leaving the series entirely but will remain involved at a “very, very high level” to help shepherd the story and ensure it stays faithful to the source material.
What to Expect in Season 3’s Story
The third season is set to adapt the remaining portion of The Last of Us Part II video game that was not covered in Season 2. The narrative will execute a significant perspective shift, focusing heavily on Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever.
Season 2 ended on a cliffhanger with Abby ambushing Ellie and her friends in their Seattle hideout. Season 3 will revisit the events of Ellie’s three days in Seattle but from Abby’s point of view. This narrative structure mirrors a section of the video game where players control Abby, gaining insight into her motivations and experiences. While Abby’s primary motiveโavenging her father by killing Joelโwas already revealed in the show’s second season premiere, the upcoming season will delve deeper into her character and her life within the Washington Liberation Front (WLF).
Bella Ramsey’s character, Ellie, will still appear but is expected to have a reduced presence compared to previous seasons. In a June 2025 interview, Ramsey indicated they were aware their role would be smaller in the upcoming season, saying, “I think that I’m going to be there, but not a whole bunch”. Isabela Merced is also confirmed to return as Dina.
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Production Timeline and Future Plans
With scripts now in the hands of stars, the next major step is the start of filming. Current reports indicate that production for The Last of Us Season 3 is scheduled to begin in March 2026. Craig Mazin is set to direct the season premiere and has expressed hope to direct a second episode as well.
The anticipated release window for the season is 2027 on HBO and Max. Mazin has teased that the third season will be “longer” and “significantly larger” in scale than the previous ones. This expanded scope has led to discussions about the possibility of a fourth season to complete the adaptation of The Last of Us Part II, though HBO has not made an official renewal decision yet.
The production has also seen other changes behind the scenes. Writer Halley Gross, who co-wrote the Part II video game and worked on the show, is no longer part of the writing team. Additionally, actor Danny Ramirez, who played Manny, departed due to scheduling conflicts, and the role has not yet been recast.
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