The Last of Us isn’t slowing down. HBO has confirmed the breakout series will return for a third season as of today – an announcement made ahead of the anticipated premiere of Season 2, which airs on Sunday 13 April on HBO Max.

The series, which stars former Game of Thrones stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, has already carved out a space as one of television’s most acclaimed video game adaptations with its blend of emotional intensity, cinematic scope, and moral nuance.

By securing Season 3 ahead of time, HBO is giving the show the creative freedom to stay true to the layered storytelling that fans of the games – and now of the show – have come to expect. And so, here's everything we know so far about season 3.

What will season 3 be about?

The early renewal reflects the network’s confidence in the show's momentum, and in the storytelling vision of co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. Season 1 faithfully adapted the 2013 PlayStation game that started it all, but its follow-up, The Last of Us Part II, released in 2020, offers a far more sprawling narrative – one the creators always intended to explore over multiple seasons.

“We’ve always known the second game would need more room to breathe,” said Mazin in an interview this week, hinting that the story’s scope could demand a total of three or even four seasons to fully play out. “It’s getting harder to make, because every episode gets big,” he noted. “You don’t want to wait four years for a 17-episode finish.”

Season 2 will consist of seven episodes, offering the first chapter of the next phase in Ellie and Joel’s emotionally complex journey. While details about Season 3 remain under wraps, its confirmation ensures that the creative team can continue to pace the adaptation thoughtfully—without rushing its most pivotal moments.

When will it be released?

If the gaps between season 1 and 2 are anything to go by, there could be a bit of a wait until we see The Last of Us season 3 on our screens. We're guessing at least a 2026 release date for this one, but we'll keep you updated here as we know more.