The Last of Us Actor Talks About Neil Druckmann’s Departure from the Series

The Last of Us Season 3 is on the horizon, but Neil Druckmann, the creative force behind the game’s universe that inspired the HBO adaptation, will not be involved. He stepped back after Season 2 to concentrate on his work at Naughty Dog. Bella Ramsey, who portrays Ellie, provided some insights into the series moving forward without one of its pivotal creators. In a conversation with an outlet, Ramsey noted that while Druckmann has left the show, his influence remains strong. “I think he left us in such good stead. And he still will always be a part of the fabric of it—it’s literally his creation; the whole world. He’s still there, even though he is not. So I think it will be fine,” she explained.

Ramsey also mentioned that while they have seen scripts for Season 3, they haven’t had a chance to read them yet. Druckmann played multiple roles in the series as a co-showrunner, director, writer, and producer. This isn’t the first time Ramsey has commented on Druckmann’s exit; back in 2025, she remarked, “He’ll definitely be missed on set. But his spirit is the story.” Druckmann announced his departure from The Last of Us in July 2025, stating he wanted to focus on writing and directing Naughty Dog’s next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He described co-creating the TV series as a “career highlight” and expressed his honor in collaborating with Craig Mazin. Mazin will continue with The Last of Us for the upcoming third season, which could potentially be the show’s final chapter. Additionally, Season 3 will see the departure of Danny Ramirez, who played Manny in Season 2, due to scheduling conflicts; his role will be recast.