HBO has announced the third season of The Last Of Us, and the biggest surprise is John Goodman. The network revealed the actor will join the show as Joey, a survivor paired with Paco, who together call themselves “Heroes of the Highway.” The announcement came as part of the celebration of September 26 as “The Last Of Us Day,” the fictional date when the cordyceps fungus reaches its critical peak.
The reveal also brought two stars from the original games back to the series. Ian Alexander, who played young Seraphite escapee Lev in The Last Of Us Part II, and Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the second game, will both appear in the new season. Kaitlyn Dever plays Abby in the show’s second season.
“a friendly duo who dub themselves ‘Heroes of the Highway.'”
The description of Joey and Paco is a pitch-perfect joke in a world where humanity is the real monster. It is impossible to know at what level of irony that title is being pitched.
Bailey’s role carries its own twist. She previously played a prominent member of the Seattle-based militia in the game. Now she will play a high-ranking member of the religiously obsessive Seraphites. That swap puts her on the opposite side of the conflict that defined the second season.
The casting news follows a long pattern for the show. Original Last Of Us stars Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson both had small roles in the series’ first season. Bailey and Anderson are simply the latest in that line.
HBO did not give a release date for the season. The most anyone has is a vague “some time in 2027.”
The Cast Additions
- John Goodman as Joey, paired with Paco as “Heroes of the Highway.”
- Ian Alexander as a returning cast member from The Last Of Us Part II.
- Laura Bailey, bringing her Abby from the games to the show as a Seraphite leader.
What The Announcement Actually Says
The news is thin on details. HBO confirmed the season exists and that these actors are attached. The “some time in 2027” window is the only timeline the network has offered.
The irony of the “Heroes of the Highway” nickname is the strongest hook in the announcement. In a world where infected humans are the visible threat, a pair of survivors calling themselves heroes is either a joke or a warning.
Why This Matters
The return of game stars to the show is a natural move. The games have a dedicated following, and bringing familiar voices from the audio casts gives fans a reason to watch.
The announcement is a reminder that The Last Of Us has become a cultural machine. Games, TV shows, and now a third season.
The wait for 2027 begins now.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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