Filming, which began in March in Vancouver, has already yielded some leaked images confirming this direction. These show Dever in character as Abby alongside Manny and Mel, facing an ambush by the Seraphites. This sequence, which marks a turning point in Abby's story in the video game, will serve to introduce two key characters in her development: Lev and Yara. The series aims to help the audience understand Abby's motivations and question their own assumptions about who the true hero of the story is.
A change of perspective that marks the narrative
The decision to shift the focus to Abby is no accident. Craig Mazin, the showrunner, had already hinted that the third season would center on this character. The season two finale set the stage for this change, showing Abby in Seattle after Ellie found her. In the video game, this moment marks a structural shift: the player stops controlling Ellie and begins experiencing the same events from Abby's perspective, discovering her losses and the consequences of her choices.
Mazin explained that the goal is to make the viewer question whether they truly hate Abby, and perhaps even come to understand her. “Our challenge now is to make you question whether you really hate Abby and maybe make you start to like her and then get confused,” he noted in an interview. This intention to challenge the certainties established during the first two seasons is one of the adaptation's biggest narrative risks, but also one of its greatest successes.
Leaked images from the set, which began circulating on social media, show Kaitlyn Dever in scenes that directly reference the second half of the video game. In one of them, Abby is seen alongside Manny and Mel as they try to escape an ambush by the Seraphites. This sequence, which in the game leads to the encounter with Lev and Yara, will be key to the character's development and to revealing a side of Abby that has remained hidden until now.
New characters and behind-the-scenes changes
The third season will introduce two essential characters to Abby's story: Lev and Yara. Kyriana Kratter will play Lev, a young trans man who belongs to the Seraphites, while Michelle Mao will portray Yara, his sister. Their appearance will be fundamental in transforming Abby's relationship with the world around her and in revealing a previously hidden side of her character. In the video game, these characters are key to Abby questioning her own beliefs and finding a new purpose.
In addition to the cast changes, there will also be behind-the-scenes modifications. Neil Druckmann, creator of the video games and co-creator of the television adaptation, stepped down as showrunner before the third season to focus on Naughty Dog and his upcoming projects. He will remain involved with The Last of Us as co-creator and executive producer, but Craig Mazin will now be solely responsible for the series' creative direction. This change, discussed in relation to Neil Druckmann's departure , could influence the narrative approach of the new episodes, although all indications suggest that fidelity to the original material will remain a priority.
Filming for the third season, which began in March, is scheduled to continue until the end of November. HBO Max has not confirmed an official release date, but all indications point to the new episodes arriving on the platform sometime in 2027. Meanwhile, fans of both the series and the video game eagerly await how this new season will unfold, promising to be one of the most complex and exciting in the adaptation.
The third season of The Last of Us is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious in the series. With a new protagonist, the introduction of new characters, and Neil Druckmann's departure, the production faces a pivotal moment. Faithfulness to Naughty Dog's video game remains the cornerstone, but there's also room for innovation and surprise. Viewers will have to wait until 2027 to see how this story unfolds, but the first images and statements already suggest it will be an unforgettable season.
