Bella Ramsey Breaks Silence on Neil Druckmann’s Departure Ahead of The Last of Us Season 3

As news spread that The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann would no longer be actively involved in the live-action series, fans feared the worst for the direction of Season 3. But Bella Ramsey, who portrays Ellie, has stepped forward to calm the storm with thoughtful, grounded remarks that pay tribute to Druckmann’s legacy while reassuring the show’s future.

Speaking with Variety on the Awards Circuit podcast, Ramsey addressed the concerns with a measured perspective:

“The world of The Last of Us is his creation, and so his voice and creative input—it doesn’t just go away in Season 3 because he’s not as actively involved. It will always be his creation. And we’re, always in everything that we do, honoring the game and Neil’s creation. He’ll definitely be missed on set. But his spirit is the story.”

Druckmann officially announced he was stepping away from the HBO series to focus on a new sci-fi project under Naughty Dog, titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Fellow writer Halley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us Part II and contributed to the show, also exited around the same time. Their departure came just before the show received several Emmy nominations, raising eyebrows about the creative future under sole showrunner Craig Mazin.

Season 3 is now in early development, and according to multiple sources, it will heavily center on Abby Anderson, played by Kaitlyn Dever. Her story—especially the “Seattle Day One” timeline—will be the emotional and narrative focus of the next season.

When asked how much of Ellie we can expect to see in the new episodes, Ramsey teased:

“I sort of know, but I can’t tell you, I’m afraid.”

 

While the script remains under wraps, it's believed that if the series sticks closely to the structure of The Last of Us Part II, Ellie may have limited screen time, mirroring Abby’s supporting role in Season 2.

HBO Chairman Casey Bloys confirmed that The Last of Us Season 3 is currently tracking for a 2027 release, and hinted that a potential Season 4 may be necessary to wrap up the story depending on how Mazin chooses to pace the remaining arcs.