Fans of HBO’s hit post-apocalyptic series The Last of Us are in for a lengthy wait before they see the next chapter of Joel and Ellie’s journey on screen. HBO’s Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys recently confirmed that Season 3 is planned for a 2027 release, meaning a gap of roughly two or more years after Season 2.
The news comes after viewers already endured a long hiatus between the show’s first and second seasons, which aired in 2023 and 2025 respectively. Bloys told Variety that while the series is officially moving forward, its placement in the 2026-2027 content cycle means fans won’t see new episodes until at least 2027, even as co-creator Craig Mazin figures out how he wants to structure the upcoming season.
Production delays and creative shifts have contributed to the slower pace. In addition to the show’s intense visual effects needs and complex storytelling, The Last of Us lost a key creative figure: co-showrunner Neil Druckmann stepped away from future seasons earlier this year, leaving Mazin to finalize plans for Season 3.
The extended timeline means fans of the Emmy-winning adaptation, which has been praised for both its faithfulness to the beloved video game and its emotional depth, will have to practice patience. While the story for Season 3 is expected to continue adapting The Last of Us Part II, details on casting, plot direction, and exact premiere dates remain unconfirmed.
For now, viewers can re-watch Season 2 and speculate about where the story goes next, but with HBO confirming the long wait ahead, The Last of Us won’t be returning to screens until at least 2027.
