Neil Druckmann steps away from ‘The Last of Us': What it means for HBO's Season 3

Time of India

04-07-2025

In a surprising move that has taken up concern and curiosity among the fans, Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of 'The Last of Us' video game and HBO series, has announced his departure from the show's creative team ahead of Season 3. His exit marks a pivotal moment for the franchise, which has become one of HBO's most acclaimed dramas since its debut in 2023.
Druckmann's statement: 'Now is the right time.'
As per the official statement shared via Naughty Dog's social media, Druckmann said, 'I've made the difficult decision to step away from my creative involvement in The Last of Us on HBO. With work completed on Season 2 and before any meaningful work starts on Season 3, now is the right time for me to transition my complete focus to
Naughty Dog
and its future projects.' He added that co-creating the show had been a 'career highlight' and praised his collaboration with Craig Mazin, who will now lead the series solo.
What's next for Druckmann?
Druckmann will now focus on developing Naughty Dog's next major video game, 'Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet,' which he is writing and directing. He will also continue in his role as studio head and head of creative at Naughty Dog.
Halley Gross also steps back
Joining Druckmann in his exit is Halley Gross, co-writer of 'The Last of Us Part II' and executive producer on the HBO series. In her own statement, she said, 'With great care and consideration, I've decided to take a step back from my day-to-day work on HBO's The Last of Us to make space for what comes next. Working alongside Neil, Craig, HBO, and this remarkable cast and crew has been life-changing.'
What this means for Season 3
With Druckmann and Gross stepping away, Craig Mazin will now serve as the sole showrunner. Mazin, known for his work on 'Chernobyl,' reassured fans by saying, 'While [Neil] focuses on that, I'll continue to work with our brilliant cast and crew to deliver the show our audience has come to expect.'
Season 3 is expected to dive deeper into the story of Abby Anderson, played by Kaitlyn Dever, and continue adapting 'The Last of Us Part II.' HBO has confirmed the season is in development, with a tentative release of late 2026 or early 2027, not very confirmed yet.
Fan concerns and creative shifts
While Druckmann will remain credited as executive producer, fans are concerned about how his absence might affect the show's authenticity and the emotional depth that was there before. Season 2 received mixed reactions for its speed of moments and storyline changes, and Druckmann's departure raises questions about how closely Season 3 will line up with the original game's perception.