Neil Druckmann Reacts as The Last of Us Scores 16 Emmy Nominations: “It Has Been a Thrill”

The Last of Us continues to dominate both television and gaming culture, earning 16 nominations at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. The critically acclaimed HBO adaptation of Naughty Dog’s hit video game has captured the attention of fans and critics alike — and now, it’s earning major industry recognition for its second season.

Among those celebrating the achievement is The Last of Us creator and Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann, who shared an emotional response on social media following the Emmy announcement.

“A Thrill for Our Studio”

Taking to Twitter (X), Druckmann expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire Naughty Dog team:

“On behalf of the entire development team at Naughty Dog, thank you to the Academy, and a huge congrats to the entire cast & crew of The Last of Us Season 2 on their Emmy nominations! To see the story of The Last of Us Part II celebrated and find new life and new fans has been a thrill for our studio.”

Though Druckmann recently stepped down as co-showrunner to focus on future game projects and broader creative leadership at Naughty Dog, his presence still looms large over the series. HBO officials have noted that his early involvement helped build a strong foundation for the show’s success.

Emmy Recognition Amidst Fierce Competition

Season 2 earned nominations across multiple categories, including:

• Outstanding Drama Series

   

• Outstanding Lead Actor – Pedro Pascal

• Outstanding Lead Actress – Bella Ramsey

• Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup

• Outstanding Sound Editing

• Outstanding Visual Effects

• …and many more in technical fields.

While Season 1 scored a staggering 24 nominations and took home 8 Emmy wins — including Guest Actor honors for Nick Offerman and Storm Reid — Season 2’s haul is still considered a major win, especially as it competed against major streaming heavyweights like Severance (27 nominations), The Penguin (24), and The White Lotus (23).

However, fans were quick to notice a few snubs: Season 2 received no nominations in the writing or directing categories — a surprising omission that some believe reflects mixed critical reception regarding the show’s darker, riskier tone this year.

Druckmann’s Exit, But Not Goodbye

Earlier this month, Druckmann confirmed he would not return as co-showrunner for Season 3. In an interview, he explained:

“I wanted to step away before the heavy lifting of Season 3 began, so I could dedicate more time to shaping the future of Naughty Dog.”

Despite stepping down, Druckmann made clear that he remains closely connected to the series. He’s reportedly collaborating with HBO’s Craig Mazin to ensure the final seasons remain faithful to the source material — The Last of Us Part II — which will be covered over two upcoming seasons.

What’s Next?

With HBO already greenlighting Season 3, and discussions underway for a possible Season 4, The Last of Us shows no signs of slowing down. Emmy recognition only strengthens its case as one of the most successful video game adaptations in history.

As for Druckmann, fans eagerly await news of his next gaming project — rumored to be a brand-new IP — while still celebrating his continued legacy with The Last of Us franchise.