HBO Greenlights ‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 as Pre-Production Begins in Vancouver

Warner Bros. Discovery has officially confirmed the renewal of ‘The Last of Us’ for a third season, ending weeks of industry speculation regarding the future of the post-apocalyptic drama. The announcement came directly from HBO and Max content chairman Casey Bloys during a strategy presentation in New York this morning, just two months after the second season’s finale aired. The network’s decision follows data revealing that the sophomore season averaged 34.6 million viewers across all platforms, marking a 12% increase over the first season’s viewership figures.

Pre-production for the upcoming chapter has already commenced in Vancouver, with location scouts reportedly securing permits for filming in the downtown Eastside and surrounding forests of British Columbia. Sources close to the production indicate that the budget for the third season has been adjusted to $22 million per episode to accommodate the complex set pieces required for the continued adaptation of the video game’s narrative. This financial injection will also support the expansion of the practical effects department, which is tasked with creating new variations of the infected for the upcoming storylines.

Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann released a joint statement emphasizing that the third season will cover the remaining events of ‘The Last of Us Part II’, a narrative decision that necessitates a significant time jump and new casting additions. The production is expected to employ over 1,400 local crew members in the Vancouver area, with the provincial government of British Columbia estimating an economic impact of roughly $180 million CAD. Filming is tentatively scheduled to begin in late spring 2026, aiming for a premiere window in the second half of 2027.

The renewal notice also addressed the status of the show’s primary cast, confirming that Bella Ramsey will return to the lead role of Ellie, with contract negotiations for the supporting ensemble currently in the final stages. HBO’s commitment to the franchise extends beyond the main series, as Bloys hinted at early discussions for a potential spinoff focused on the darker history of the FEDRA military zones. Marketing analysts project that the third season will be a cornerstone of Max’s subscriber retention strategy for the 2027 fiscal year, specifically targeting international markets in Europe and Latin America where the series has seen its sharpest growth.