HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us continues to blur the line between the games and the screen. The latest casting news for season 3 reveals that two of the most beloved performers from The Last of Us Part II — Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander — will officially join the television series. But in a twist that has fans talking, neither will be reprising the characters they famously portrayed in the game.
A Homecoming for the Game’s Stars
Laura Bailey Steps Into a New Role
Laura Bailey delivered one of the most acclaimed performances in gaming history as Abby, the polarizing co-protagonist of The Last of Us Part II. Her motion-capture and voice work earned widespread critical praise and helped make Abby one of the most discussed characters in modern storytelling. In the HBO series, however, the role of Abby belongs to Kaitlyn Dever, who debuted in season 2. Rather than stepping aside entirely, Bailey will appear in season 3 playing an entirely different character, giving fans of the game a symbolic passing of the torch on screen.
Ian Alexander Returns as Someone New
Alongside Bailey, Ian Alexander — who brought Lev, the young Seraphite defector, to life in the game — will also appear in season 3 in a new role. Lev’s story is expected to be a significant part of the upcoming season as the series digs deeper into Abby’s perspective, so Alexander’s involvement in a different capacity is an intriguing creative choice from showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.
John Goodman Joins the Cast
In another headline-grabbing addition, Hollywood veteran John Goodman is set to appear in The Last of Us season 3. Details about his character are being kept under wraps, but the casting of an actor of Goodman’s caliber signals that HBO is continuing to invest heavily in the prestige production as the story moves into some of the most emotionally demanding territory in the source material.
A Continuing Tradition
This isn’t the first time the show has honored its gaming roots. In season 1, Troy Baker — the original voice of Joel — appeared as James, while Ashley Johnson, who played Ellie in the games, portrayed Ellie’s mother Anna in a devastating flashback episode. Bailey and Alexander’s casting continues that tradition of weaving the game’s original performers into the fabric of the television adaptation, a gesture that fans have consistently appreciated.
What to Expect From Season 3
While HBO has kept story details tightly guarded, season 3 is widely expected to shift the spotlight toward Abby’s journey, expanding on events set in motion during season 2. With the Seraphites, the WLF, and returning characters like Dina and Jesse all in play, the next chapter promises to explore the second half of The Last of Us Part II narrative in depth — and possibly beyond what players saw in the game.
Want to Experience the Story First?
If the casting news has you itching to revisit (or experience for the first time) the story that started it all, both The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II Remastered are available on Playstation and PC. You can pick up PlayStation Store gift cards and game codes at TURGAME.com at competitive prices and jump straight into Ellie and Abby’s stories before the new season arrives.
Source: Polygon