‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 Casts John Goodman and Two Game Voice Stars

HBO has been integrating familiar faces from the video game world into its adaptation of ‘The Last of Us’ for years. This approach delights long-time fans with unexpected cameos, and this week, another exciting wave of casting news has emerged. The latest updates for ‘The Last of Us’ season 3 introduce an Emmy winner along with two recognizable names from the gaming community.

The announcement was made on Saturday, September 26, a date that holds significance within the franchise as it marks the onset of the cordyceps outbreak that triggers the events of both the games and the series. HBO took this opportunity to unveil its newest cast members.

Joining the cast for the third season are John Goodman, Ian Alexander, and Laura Bailey. Goodman and Alexander will portray Joey and Paco, a friendly duo who refer to themselves as the “Heroes of the Highway.” Meanwhile, Bailey will take on the role of Elizabeth, a leader within the religious group known as the Seraphites.

Goodman, an Emmy winner, is recognized for his roles in ‘The Conners’ and ‘The Righteous Gemstones.’ Alexander is known for his performances in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ and ‘The OA,’ while Bailey has gained fame through ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ and ‘Critical Role.’ All three actors are stepping into new roles for the series.

This casting is particularly noteworthy since both Alexander and Bailey previously contributed to ‘The Last of Us Part II.’ Alexander voiced Lev, a Seraphite teenager pivotal to Abby’s storyline, while Bailey voiced Abby herself. In the series, the characters are portrayed by Kyriana Kratter and Kaitlyn Dever, respectively.

This means that neither actor is reprising their original roles, instead taking on fresh characters, which adds an intriguing twist for fans of the game. Additionally, Bailey made a brief cameo as a nurse in the season 1 finale.

Bailey’s role may be the most captivating, as Elizabeth does not appear in ‘Part II’ and is only mentioned in the past tense. Her casting hints that the show will delve deeper into the Seraphites’ history and their struggle in Seattle.

This aligns with HBO’s vision for the upcoming season, which is expected to focus on Abby’s narrative, with the Seraphites playing a significant role. The series appears poised to broaden the storyline beyond what the games have previously explored.

HBO has previously honored the source material in similar ways. Merle Dandridge reprised her role as Marlene, and Jeffrey Wright returned as Isaac Dixon, both characters they voiced in the games. Ashley Johnson, who voiced Ellie, also portrayed Ellie’s mother in the season 1 finale.

These casting choices respect the original material while providing the actors with new opportunities. The latest additions continue this tradition and highlight how closely the series remains connected to Naughty Dog’s games.

These new cast members join an expanding ensemble that includes Li Jun Li as Miriam, Peter Sarsgaard as Amon, a Seraphite leader not featured in the games, Jason Ritter as Hanley, Patrick Wilson as Abby’s father, Jerry, and Michelle Mao as Lev’s sister, Yara.

Clea DuVall is also part of the cast, and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. has taken over the role of Manny from Danny Ramirez, who could not return due to scheduling conflicts. Returning stars include Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Jeffrey Wright, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord.

The season is slated to premiere in 2027, with production currently underway. Filming is expected to wrap up in November. Craig Mazin has taken over as the sole showrunner after Neil Druckmann stepped down at the end of season 2.

HBO’s Casey Bloys has indicated that Mazin may have planned this as the final season, although this has not been officially confirmed. Season 2 concluded in May 2025, setting the stage for a shift to Abby’s perspective. Pedro Pascal’s involvement remains unconfirmed.

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