HBO’s The Last of Us has officially announced a release window for its highly anticipated third season. According to recent comments from HBO executives, The Last of Us season 3 is expected to arrive in 2027. While this announcement has generated attention from fans and followers of the series, it also came with another update: The Last of Us season 3 may serve as the final chapter of the award-winning show.
Based on the popular video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us has been widely followed since its debut on HBO in January 2023. The show stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, and has received strong reviews for its adaptation, performances, and storytelling. With the conclusion of Season 2 still in production and Season 3 now on the horizon, the timeline for the show’s future is gradually becoming clearer.
In an update shared by HBO’s head of drama, Francesca Orsi, The Last of Us season 3 is currently being targeted for a 2027 release. Production timelines and scheduling are still in progress, but the network is aiming to keep the show's quality and scale consistent with previous seasons. No exact premiere date has been given, but the release window helps set expectations for viewers waiting on the next installment.
Season 2 began production in early 2024 and is currently expected to release sometime in 2025. Given the size and complexity of the series—which includes large-scale sets, visual effects, and multiple locations—longer gaps between seasons are not unusual. The extended timeline is being used to ensure both creative and production goals are met, as the story moves into deeper and more complex territory.
The Last of Us season 3 could conclude the series
Along with the news of the 2027 timeline, HBO also acknowledged that The Last of Us season 3 is likely to be the final season of The Last of Us. The story, which closely follows the narrative of the video game series, is expected to reach a natural endpoint with this upcoming chapter. The second game in the franchise (The Last of Us Part II) contains a longer and more detailed story, which the showrunners previously indicated could span more than one season.
While it's not confirmed whether all of Part II will be completed in The Last of Us season 3 or if any new material will be added, HBO has shared that the next season may wrap up the adaptation. However, network executives have also left some room for flexibility depending on the direction the writers and creative team take.
Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the co-creators of the series, have both commented in past interviews that their approach remains faithful to the core story of the games. Any changes or additions would still reflect the characters and world established by the original material. HBO has stated that it will continue to support the creative direction of the show, whether it ends with The Last of Us season 3 or extends beyond that.
A planned conclusion to a story-driven series
The Last of Us Season 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CwCKbfMIdG
— The Last of Us News (@TheLastofUsNews) May 26, 2025
If The Last of Us season 3 does serve as the final chapter, the series will join a group of modern shows that opted for a planned ending rather than extending indefinitely. For The Last of Us, which has always focused on a specific narrative arc, a defined conclusion may align with the creators’ original vision. The series has been known for its emotional depth, character development, and moral complexity—all elements that benefit from a structured and complete arc.
As of now, no additional spin-offs or extensions of the show have been confirmed. However, given the popularity of the franchise and the success of its television adaptation, future projects remain a possibility, either within the same universe or in a different format.
The Last of Us will return with Season 2 in 2025 and is now officially aiming for a Season 3 release in 2027. While HBO has suggested that Season 3 could mark the end of the series, final decisions will depend on the creative team’s vision and how the remaining story unfolds. As the adaptation moves closer to the events of The Last of Us Part II, viewers can expect more details in the coming months regarding casting, storyline development, and official timelines.
