Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Apple WWDC 2025 Switch 2 Restock Best laptops Best Mattress Wordle Today Recommended reading 'The Last of Us' creators tease a big change to Abby's origin story ahead of season 2 'The Last of Us' season 2 finale live — reactions, who survived, recap and more Bella Ramsey on Ellie and Joel's relationship in 'The Last of Us' season 2: 'It’s sadder for sure' 'The Last of Us' season 2: Release date, cast, trailer, plot and more 'The Last of Us' season 2 episode 1 — reactions, Abby, Eugene, season 3 news and more HBO just dropped fresh new stills from 'The Last of Us' season 2 — here's what they reveal 'The Last of Us' showrunner promises 'I am not going to go past the game' and teases how many more seasons fans can expect Entertainment 'The Last of Us' creators confirm Ellie won’t be the main character in season 3 — here’s what we know Alix Blackburn 11 June 2025 Abby will step into the spotlight in season 3 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO) For many fans, Ellie has been the heart and soul of “The Last of Us” since day one. So hearing she won’t be the main character in season 3 might sound like a big change to some. But honestly, I’m not surprised. Having played the second game, this shift makes perfect sense. Instead, the next season will focus on Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. The game itself split the story into parts: starting with Ellie’s revenge, then shifting to Abby’s perspective, and finally bringing their stories together in a powerful third act. It looks like the show is following that same approach, focusing on Abby’s story next before their paths cross again. At an Emmys FYC event (h/t The Hollywood Reporter), co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann shared more details about “The Last of Us” season 3. Druckmann said: The decisions [we made] are just what the story required, and even now, it’s like I can’t believe that they let us structure the series in this way. Meaning like we just ended season two, and season three is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn.” You may like 'The Last of Us' creators tease a big change to Abby's origin story ahead of season 2 'The Last of Us' season 2 finale live — reactions, who survived, recap and more Bella Ramsey on Ellie and Joel's relationship in 'The Last of Us' season 2: 'It’s sadder for sure' He then continued: “I was sure that they wouldn’t let us do this when we started adapting this, but they’ve leaned into what makes, I believe, the story special. And allowed us not only the time but the creative freedom to be able to take these swings, and I think the audience really appreciates that.” Of course, that’s not to say Ellie won’t appear at all. It’s likely she’ll still play a significant role, especially since her story and Abby’s are so deeply intertwined. The way the game handled their narratives showed just how connected their journeys are even when the focus shifts between them. So fans can probably expect to see Ellie’s presence throughout season 3, but from a different angle or in a supporting role as Abby takes the lead. Spoilers ahead for both "The Last of Us" season 2 and the Part II game. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. What we can expect to see in ‘The Last of Us’ season 3 (Image credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO) Season 2 ended right at that explosive confrontation between Ellie and Abby, so it makes sense that season 3 will rewind a bit to show Abby’s path leading up to that moment in the theater. The finale took us back to “Seattle Day One,” which pretty much confirms that season 3 will follow Abby through that same timeline, picking up after Joel’s death and diving into her life within the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). Just like in the game, the show is set to peel back the layers of Abby’s story and explore her motivations, what she’s lost, and the emotional weight she carries. We’ll see her from a new angle: as someone dealing with her own grief. The more time we spend with her, and the more we learn about the people she loves and protects, the harder it becomes to see her as just the enemy. (Image credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO) “It’s more of a water season than a fire season,” Druckmann said at the FYC event, as Mazin backed that up, saying “It’s a wetter season than a hotter season.” So, what exactly does a “weter season” mean? It’s a pretty poetic way to describe a shift in tone and it actually lines up with what we know so far. If season 2 was all fire (like anger and revenge), then season 3 being “wetter” might suggest something slower. Maybe we’ll see a more emotionally driven story, one that deals with the weight of grief especially from Abby’s side. Mazin said: “I think plot armor is a real problem and in a show where we try and keep things as grounded as possible, and we want people to feel in real danger, then yes, sometimes the people that we can’t imagine dying die. Because, for me, this is not a show about revenge, it’s a show about grief. Well, how are we supposed to grieve if nobody we truly, truly are invested in dies?” Not only is that true for Joel, but since “The Last of Us” is built around grief, the same applies to Abby, who’s still mourning her father years later. We’ll likely see more of that pain through flashbacks, especially during her time with the Fireflies and the bond she shared with him. (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO) While it might feel strange for some fans who’ve always rooted for Ellie, this change opens the door to exploring new emotional ground. Abby’s perspective is complex and harrowing, which makes the story richer and more layered. Mazin has suggested season 3 may be longer than season 2 to better accommodate Abby’s extensive arc, and a fourth season may still be needed to complete the overall story. So don’t expect a neat wrap-up just yet, as it’s clear the showrunners are taking their time to let the narrative breathe. So while Ellie may not be front and center next season, the story is far from over — though we probably won’t see season 3 until sometime around 2027. More from Tom's Guide 'The Last Of Us' showrunner wants season 4 to happen How to watch 'The Last of Us' season 2 online and on TV from anywhere 37 best shows to stream on HBO Max right now Streaming device deals not to miss Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021) $38.05View See all prices Google Chromecast with Google TV $55.99View See all prices Apple TV 4K (2022) $129.99View See all prices Roku Express 4K+ (2021) $34.99View See all prices Deal ends Sun, Jun 15, 2025 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2023 $39.99View See all prices Deal ends Tue, Jun 17, 2025 We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices See more Entertainment News The Last of Us Alix Blackburn Social Links Navigation Senior Streaming Writer (UK) Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote. Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry. She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 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