The Last of Us Season 3

What this countdown tracks

The wait until HBO premieres The Last of Us Season 3, expected in May 2027 – the third season of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann's adaptation of the Naughty Dog video-game series, filming under the working title Calm Current.

Why this release matters

The Last of Us Season 1 averaged 32 million viewers per episode across HBO and Max linear plus streaming windows, making it one of HBO's most-watched original series of the streaming era and one of the most successful video-game adaptations in television history. Season 2 was HBO's biggest premiere of 2025, drawing approximately 5.3 million viewers on its first night of streaming and traditional HBO airing. Season 3 adapts the second half of The Last of Us Part II – the controversial Abby Anderson section that drew passionate fan reactions when the game launched in 2020. Kaitlyn Dever, who joined the show as Abby in Season 2, leads as protagonist for the season; Bella Ramsey returns as Ellie. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have publicly stated the story will likely take more than three seasons to fully adapt the second game, with Season 3 covering Abby's POV and Season 4 returning to the converging storylines. Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part II Remastered shipped on PS5 in early 2024, refreshing the source material at the same time the show's adaptation entered its most controversial creative territory.

Casting Kaitlyn Dever in particular is one of the most-watched single decisions of the show's run: Abby's perspective splits the audience – critics and players alike – when Naughty Dog's game first asked viewers to inhabit her POV in 2020, and how Mazin and Druckmann translate that arc to television will shape the show's broader critical legacy.

What we know so far

HBO has confirmed Season 3 with filming under working title Calm Current beginning March 2, 2026. Kaitlyn Dever leads as Abby Anderson; Bella Ramsey returns as Ellie. The season is expected to adapt Part II's Abby-perspective second half. A specific release date has not been formally locked, with HBO targeting a mid-to-late 2027 premiere; May 2027 is the most-cited industry estimate. Episode count has not been confirmed; Season 1 ran nine episodes and Season 2 ran seven. The season will premiere on HBO with same-day HBO Max streaming, following the network's standard prestige-drama distribution model. Casting beyond Dever and Ramsey for new Part II characters has been partially revealed but not fully completed.

Release details

• Release date: 2027 expected; specific date not yet locked
• Platforms: HBO, HBO Max
• Price: HBO Max subscription; cable HBO subscription
• Showrunners: Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann
• Regional variations: international rollout via HBO syndication partners

What to watch for leading up to release

• Filming wrap announcements in late 2026
• Specific premiere-date confirmation, traditionally 3 months out
• First trailer release timing
• Episode count and runtime confirmations
• Cast confirmations for new characters
• HBO's Inside the Episode companion content
• Critic embargo lift on early-screened episodes

Related releases to track

Pair with house-of-the-dragon-season-3-2026 for HBO's other flagship premium drama. Other anticipated 2027 streaming TV releases include wednesday-season-3-2027 on Netflix, severance-season-3-2027 on Apple TV+, and foundation-season-4-2027.

FAQ

When does The Last of Us Season 3 release? 2027 is the confirmed window; May 2027 is the most-cited industry estimate. What platforms is it on? HBO and HBO Max in the US; HBO syndication partners internationally. How much will it cost to watch? Standard HBO Max subscription pricing; HBO via cable provider. Can I preorder? No preorder; included with active subscription. Who makes The Last of Us? HBO, with Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann as showrunners.