HBO’s The Last of Us is already laying the groundwork for a major third and potentially final season, with a new casting announcement that is sure to excite fans!
The Last of Us season 3 has officially cast Patrick Wilson as Jerry, the father of Abby, who will be portrayed in the series by Kaitlyn Dever. While HBO has not revealed specific plot details for season 3 yet, this casting is significant because Jerry plays a crucial role in Abby’s backstory and is tied to some of the most important events in the larger narrative.
If you weren't aware, the third installment will shift its focus toward Abby’s perspective. Viewers will be given a deeper look into her story and the events that shaped her path. At the end of the first season, we saw Joel (Pedro Pascal) battle his way through St. Mary's hospital to save Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from partaking in a life-threatening surgery. While he did successfully rescue her, his decision came with devastating consequences.
Unknowingly, one of the Fireflies he killed during the assault was Jerry. After Abby finds out her father's dead, she then sets out on a revenge mission. That was pretty much season 2. We can't wait to see how the story continues to unfold in The Last of Us season 3.
Fans might recognize Wilson from projects like The Conjuring film series, the Insidious movies, and the FX series Fargo. Since the first season, everyone's been wondering who would eventually take on the role of Abby’s father if the HBO adaptation continued following the storyline of the games. Jerry may not appear frequently, but his presence casts a long shadow over the story.
His relationship with Abby helps shape her motivations and plays a key part in the chain of events that ultimately drive the larger conflict of the narrative. Because of this, casting the right actor for the role was always going to be an important moment for the post-apocalyptic drama series.
Wilson’s addition comes as HBO continues expanding the ensemble for the upcoming season. Jason Ritter has also joined the series and will portray Hanley, a soldier in the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). Interestingly, Ritter has technically appeared in the show before though many viewers may not have realized it at the time.
During season 1, he briefly played an uncredited Clicker alongside his real-life wife, Melanie Lynskey, who portrayed the ruthless Kansas City resistance group leader Kathleen. However, Ritter will be stepping into a full speaking role this time around with his own character in the post-apocalyptic world.
Meanwhile, several actors introduced in season 2 will see their roles expanded moving forward. Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord have all been promoted and will continue portraying Mel, Nora, and Owen. These characters are closely connected to Abby’s storyline, which further hints that the upcoming season could spend more time exploring her perspective.
The Last of Us season 3 will also feature the return of several familiar faces, including Ramsey, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, and Jeffrey Wright. At the same time, the show is continuing to expand its world with new characters. Clea DuVall previously joined the season 3 cast as a Seraphite, while Jorge Lendeborg Jr. is set to take over the role of Manny following the departure of Danny Ramirez.
Behind the scenes, the series is also entering a new phase. The show was co-created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, but Mazin will now serve as the sole showrunner for season 3 after Druckmann stepped away from the role after season 2. While there still isn't an official premiere date set, The Last of Us season 3 is expected to start airing sometime in 2027.
The cameras just recently started rolling in early March and are expected to turn off sometime this November. We'll get back to you with more details on the highly anticipated The Last of Us season 3 as they are revealed. That said, make sure to stay tuned to Undead Walking!