There’s a major update on 'The Last of Us'. Season 3 will spotlight Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. This change was confirmed by co-creator Neil Druckmann during a recent panel.

“I can’t believe that they let us structure the series in this way, meaning like, we just ended Season 2, and Season 3 is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn,” he said, as quoted by Variety.

Season 2 Already Hinted at the Shift

Earlier, Season 2 had already signaled a change in perspective. The story began to move away from Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, and toward Abby.

Notably, Abby is known for killing Joel (Pedro Pascal) — a scene that sparked controversy among fans.

Kaitlyn Dever Addresses the Reaction

Meanwhile, Dever spoke about playing Abby. She acknowledged the backlash from some fans but remained confident in the show’s vision.

“I guess the controversy surrounding Abby was never really a concern for me, just given my first meeting with Craig and Neil and how wonderful they are and how talented they are,” she said during the panel, speaking virtually.

Creators Explain the Message Behind Joel’s Death

Additionally, co-creator Craig Mazin explained the reason behind Joel’s dramatic exit. According to him, the story was never just about revenge.

“In a show where we try and keep things as grounded as possible, and we want people to feel in real danger, then yes, sometimes the people that we can’t imagine dying die. That’s because, for me, this is not a show about revenge. It’s a show about grief,” Mazin said.

A Quick Look at the Series

The Last of Us made its debut on HBO on January 15, 2023. Pedro Pascal starred as Joel, while Bella Ramsey played Ellie. The cast also featured Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, and Young Mazino.

Later, Season 2 premiered on April 13, 2025, and concluded on May 25. So far, HBO has not announced a release date for Season 3.