The co-creators of HBO’s zombie apocalypse seriesThe Last of Usare finally admitting that season 3 will primarily center on Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. This confirms that the series will follow the same structure as the original video game sequel, which co-creator Neil Druckmann revealed that he was surprised that HBO let him and his creative team achieve. Dever, who had a small but incredibly significant role inThe Last of Usseason 2, is set to take on much more screentime in the third season, which is likely to be released in 2027.
According toVariety,Druckmann commented during a recent FYC panel on the shift in focus set forThe Last of Usseason 3,keeping true to the original vision of the celebrated video games. “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.” Dever, who appeared virtually on the panel, also commented, “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.”
What Druckmann & Dever’s Comments Mean For The Last Of Us Season 3
Abby’s Story Is Set To Take Up The Majority Of TLOU Season 3
With confirmation thatThe Last of Usseason 3 will arrive with a significant character shift– after a divisive season 2 that primarily focused on Bella Ramsey’s character, Ellie – fans of the original video games should find relief that Druckmann and co-creator Craig Mazin were given so much creative freedom. That said, it was arguably that very creative freedom that led to the pitfalls ofThe Last of Usseason 2. Still, theshift from Ellie’s story to Abby’s in season 3sounds promising since ithonors the original vision of the video games, which fans have celebrated sinceTLOU Part Two’sreleasein June 2020.
Before Druckmann’s recent confirmation ofThe Last of Usseason 3’s creative approach, it was widely believed that season 3 would center on Abby’s story anyway.Druckmann’s surprise likely comes from how unusual this type of narrative formattingis for any TV series, let alone a flagship franchise for HBO. Even though TLOU season 2 received mixed reviews, primarily from viewers at home, HBO has yet to hit the panic switch on their Emmy-winning series and is still allowing Druckmann and Mazin to carry out their original, and loyal to the game, vision for season 3.
Our Take On Abby’s Increased Narrative Focus In TLOU Season 3
After The Way Season 2 Ended, There’s Really No Other Choice But To Switch To Abby
The Last of Usseason 1 was applauded for its close and authentic adaptation of the acclaimed video game, which is one of the reasons why it was so celebrated and won 8 Emmys. Based on the approach taken forTLOUseason 2, which heavily focused on Ellie’s revenge-seeking journey hunting Abby down in Seattle, there was really no other choice but to continue emulating the video game’s narrative structure in season 3 once season 2 was established and released.
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Viewers have certainly had their fair share of criticisms ofThe Last of Usseason 2, so this massive narrative change starring Dever as Abby may be exactly what season 3 needs to turn things around.
The Last Of Us
Cast
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
