Casey Bloys, the man running HBO, has once again suggested that The Last of Us Season 3 will be the final season of the show. Speaking to Deadline at an Emmys afterparty, Bloys said, “I think [showrunner] Craig [Mazin] has planned it as the final season.” That follows a similar statement he made in February, when he told Deadline “it certainly seems that way.”
What Bloys Said
Bloys’ latest remark echoes his earlier one, which he delivered at a different event. In February, he framed the question of a third-season finale as settled, even though the showrunner himself has publicly disagreed.
Mazin’s Contrary View
Craig Mazin, the showrunner, has previously said there is “no way” to wrap up the story in three seasons. His position is clear: the narrative doesn’t fit the timeline HBO is suggesting.
The Recent Comments
Bloys’ comments are more recent than Mazin’s. That timing matters.
Why This Matters
Season 3 is set to air sometime next year. It focuses on Abby’s story from The Last of Us Part 2. The series separated Abby and Ellie’s stories, one of the reasons there was a more divided reaction to the second series, after the first series had been almost universally applauded.
The Dip in Response
The divided reaction to Season 2 could explain why HBO is leaning toward a shorter run. Whether the audience drop influenced the network’s appetite for a fourth season is pure speculation.
The Baldur’s Gate Project
Mazin is also adapting Baldur’s Gate 3 for HBO. The project was announced early this year, and Mazin is a big fan of the game. The developer Larian is not involved, but it has welcomed Mazin to its offices and apparently discussed ideas with him.
The Uncertainty
The contradiction between Bloys and Mazin leaves fans in a strange position. The HBO boss is saying one thing, and the showrunner is saying another. For now, the only certainty is that Season 3 exists, and that it is coming soon.
What Happens Next
For now, the story of The Last of Us remains unfinished.
- Season 3 is set to air sometime next year.
- It focuses on Abby’s story from The Last of Us Part 2.
- The series separated Abby and Ellie’s stories.
- One of the reasons there was a more divided reaction to Season 2 was the separated storytelling.
- HBO’s appetite for a fourth season remains unclear.
The contradiction between Bloys and Mazin raises more questions than it answers. Will Mazin change his mind? Will HBO stick to its plan? The audience will have to wait and see.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.