Quick TakeArticle at a glance
- The Last of Us season 3 cast has three new additions: John Goodman as a road-worn survivor named Joey, plus Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey playing entirely new characters, not the roles they originally voiced in the video games.
- HBO unveiled the casting on what fans call "The Last of Us Day," and the timing matched the news: John Goodman is playing Joey, one half of a pair calling themselves the "Heroes of the Highway," alongside Ian Alexander as his partner Paco.
- Here's the part that got fans talking: Alexander and Bailey aren't reprising Lev and Abby.
The Last of Us season 3 cast has three new additions: John Goodman as a road-worn survivor named Joey, plus Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey playing entirely new characters, not the roles they originally voiced in the video games. HBO confirmed the additions on September 26, 2026.
Who’s Joining, and as Whom
HBO unveiled the casting on what fans call "The Last of Us Day," and the timing matched the news: John Goodman is playing Joey, one half of a pair calling themselves the "Heroes of the Highway," alongside Ian Alexander as his partner Paco. Laura Bailey joins as Elizabeth, one of the Seraphites’ leaders, according to Deadline’s original report, corroborated the same day by CBR and ComicBook.com.
| Actor | Season 3 role | Game connection |
|---|---|---|
| John Goodman | Joey ("Heroes of the Highway") | New to the franchise |
| Ian Alexander | Paco ("Heroes of the Highway") | Voiced Lev in The Last of Us Part II |
| Laura Bailey | Elizabeth (Seraphites leader) | Voiced Abby in The Last of Us Part II |
The Twist: Neither Actor Is Playing Their Game Character
Here’s the part that got fans talking: Alexander and Bailey aren’t reprising Lev and Abby. Those roles already belong to Kyriana Kratter and Kaitlyn Dever in the live-action series, and both are confirmed back for season 3. Alexander and Bailey are instead playing brand-new characters who happen to cross paths with the story their game performances helped define. It’s the kind of casting joke the show can only make because enough of the game’s voice cast is still working.
What It Means for Season 3’s Story
Season 3 picks up after season 2’s cliffhanger and shifts the point of view to follow Abby, with the Seraphites — the splinter faction Elizabeth now leads — central to that arc. HBO programming chief Casey Bloys has said the season will "be happening in ’27," with filming expected to wrap in November.
HBO has reason to keep investing: season 2 opened to 5.3 million viewers in April 2025, up 13% from the 4.7 million who watched the 2023 series premiere, according to Nielsen and WBD data reported by Variety. Season 3 will also be the first made without Neil Druckmann, who exited as showrunner after season 2, leaving Craig Mazin to steer the story through its planned conclusion.
The rest of the previously announced season 3 cast stays in place: Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Patrick Wilson as Abby’s father Jerry, Peter Sarsgaard as the original character Amos, Jeffrey Wright as another Seraphites leader, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. recast as Manny, Michelle Mao as Yara and Kyriana Kratter as Lev. That brings the confirmed season 3 cast to 11 names as of September 26, 2026. For more on the season’s build so far, see our earlier look at HBO’s pre-production plans for season 3 and our full Last of Us watch guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Goodman playing in The Last of Us season 3?
John Goodman plays Joey, one half of a duo calling themselves the "Heroes of the Highway," alongside Ian Alexander as Paco.
Are Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey reprising their game roles?
No. Alexander voiced Lev and Bailey voiced Abby in The Last of Us Part II, but in the live-action series those characters are played by Kyriana Kratter and Kaitlyn Dever. Alexander and Bailey are playing new characters: Paco and Elizabeth, a Seraphites leader.
When does The Last of Us season 3 come out?
No premiere date has been announced. HBO’s Casey Bloys has said the season will arrive in 2027, with filming expected to finish in November 2026.
Is The Last of Us season 3 the final season?
Yes. Showrunner Craig Mazin has planned season 3 as the concluding chapter of HBO’s adaptation, following Neil Druckmann’s exit after season 2.
What is season 3 of The Last of Us about?
The season shifts perspective to follow Abby in the aftermath of season 2’s cliffhanger, with the Seraphites faction playing a central role in her story.
