The Last of Us Season 3 Adds John Goodman and Two Stars From the Game
HBO’s hit adaptation is gearing up for a major shift in perspective, and ‘The Last of Us‘ Season 3 cast just got a lot more interesting. HBO renewed the series for a third season on April 9, 2025, days before Season 2 premiered, and the show is now expected to return in 2027 for what may be its final chapter. Showrunner and executive producer Craig Mazin remains at the helm.
The new season will follow a very different lead. Based on the second half of ‘The Last of Us Part II’, it centers on Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, a soldier in Seattle whose worldview is challenged after she avenges her father’s death. With Pedro Pascal’s Joel killed in Season 2, he can’t physically appear, though flashbacks remain possible.
Now, the ensemble is expanding with a trio of exciting additions. As Deadline reported, Emmy winner John Goodman, Ian Alexander, and Laura Bailey have all joined the Season 3 cast. Many outlets highlighted the news on X, noting that Bailey and Alexander are both returning to the franchise in new roles.
Goodman and Alexander will play Joey and Paco, a friendly duo who call themselves the “Heroes of the Highway.” Notably, these are 2 original characters created specifically for the show.
Bailey, meanwhile, will play Elizabeth, one of the leaders of the religious sect known as the Seraphites. That group is expected to play an important role in the upcoming season.
For longtime fans, the Bailey and Alexander news carries extra weight. Both had voice roles in ‘The Last of Us Part II’, with Alexander voicing Lev and Bailey voicing Abby. In the HBO series, those characters are played by Kyriana Kratter and Dever, respectively.
This won’t be Bailey’s first brush with the TV adaptation, either. She previously played a nurse in both the first game and the Season 1 finale, making Elizabeth her second appearance in HBO’s version.
The new trailer for ‘THE LAST OF US’ Season 2 has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 7, 2025
Releasing in April on HBO. pic.twitter.com/J6k1ATrBQf
Alexander’s history with the franchise stretches back years. Naughty Dog announced they had joined the cast of ‘The Last of Us Part II’ in October 2017, in a voice and motion capture role. Alexander is also known for their work on ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.
Goodman arrives with plenty of momentum. He’s known for ‘The Conners’ and ‘The Righteous Gemstones’, and he also plays President Compson in ‘Digger’, the highly anticipated film starring Tom Cruise opening in October. Joining a prestige drama like this only adds to an already stacked schedule.
The trio joins a lengthy list of previously announced newcomers. Li Jun Li will play Miriam, a Seraphite, while Peter Sarsgaard takes on Amon, one of the Seraphite leaders and a character not found in the games. Jason Ritter joins as Hanley, a WLF soldier, and Patrick Wilson plays Jerry, Abby’s father.
There’s also a notable recasting. Jorge Lendeborg Jr. is taking over the role of Manny from Danny Ramirez, who couldn’t return due to scheduling conflicts. Clea DuVall has joined as a Seraphite, though her character’s identity hasn’t been revealed.
Returning stars include Bella Ramsey, Dever, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Jeffrey Wright, Ariella Barer, Tati Gabrielle and Spencer Lord. With so many new and familiar faces, the Seattle chapter is shaping up to be the series’ most sprawling yet.
As the show pivots toward Abby, the addition of the actress who originally brought her to life feels like a meaningful nod to the source material. Combined with Goodman’s star power and Alexander’s return to the franchise, Season 3 is already generating plenty of buzz among fans of both the games and the series.
What are you most excited to see in The Last of Us Season 3?
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