‘The Last of Us’ Showrunner Teases Season 3 Fixing a Major S2 Issue

Despite all this becoming more and more complicated for The Last of Us with every new season, it doesn’t seem like a big problem for HBO that might not stick to its original plan anymore.

Launched back in 2023, the show was initially supposed to run for three seasons only, with the first one covering the first original video game’s plot and the rest borrowing the storyline from the game’s second chapter.

However, The Last of Us’ showrunner Craig Mazin had a sudden change of heart a couple of months back, suggesting he had enough source material for more instalments than planned at first.

Things might have changed just as fast again, with The Last of Us’ fans probably having a reason to breathe a sigh of relief.

Craig Mazin Says ‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 Will Be Longer Than Season 2

Apart from many other reasons why the original video game’s fans couldn’t hide their despise for the HBO adaptation, the studio’s decision to cut the number of episodes from 9 to 7 was also what provoked another wave of rage back then.

The good news is that at least this might be fixed by Mazin and co after all.

“We’re kind of fiddling around with that — it’s a little bit of a trade secret at the moment. But I will say that season three will be longer than season two. Season three will be more on par with season one. More bang for the buck”, the showrunner revealed in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

He also added that, just like with seasons 1 and 2, he might get behind the camera to direct a couple of episodes as well.

“I’m just making sure everything is fitting together tonally. So it’s hard for me to then go prep something while I’m also still writing, but we’ll see if I can get away with [directing] more than one”, Mazin said.

Joel’s Death in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Will Impact Season 3 Extended Run, Mazin Teased Before

Though at the time all the attention of The Last of Us’ viewers was on the showrunner’s words about a potential fourth season that was never planned in the first place, Mazin also had thoughts about making the upcoming third instalment longer — especially since the show now needs to explore the ramifications of Joel’s tragic passing in season 2 episode 2.

“I think there’s a decent chance that Season 3 will be longer than Season 2, just because the manner of that narrative and the opportunities it affords us are a little different. The thing about Joel’s death is that it’s so impactful. It’s such a narrative nuclear bomb that it’s hard to wander away from it”, the showrunner explained in an interview with Collider back in May.

The Last of Us’ season 3 is now expected to land on HBO Max sometime in 2027.