6 Ways The Last Of Us Season 3 Will Be Different From Seasons 1 & 2

After leaving audiences with a tense cliffhanger, The Last of Us season 3 is set to take a new direction in several ways that are a major departure from the first two seasons. The hit HBO series is an adaptation of Naughty Dog's celebrated PlayStation video game series that focuses on the battle for the soul of humanity in a post-apocalyptic world. The Last of Us season 1 introduced audiences to Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey), as they travel across a ravaged North America in hopes of creating a cure.

After Joel chose to save Ellie over letting her be used to develop a cure, The Last of Us season 2 faced the pair with consequences when Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever) tracks them down to exact her revenge. As her world is irreparably shattered, Ellie seeks her own version of justice, tracking Abby and her allies to Seattle. When the pair finally came face to face in The Last of Us season finale, "Convergence", Abby holds Ellie at gunpoint, cutting to black as she fires a shot and ending the series on a shocking note that leaves newcomers questioning what comes next.

6Pedro Pascal Won't Feature In Season 3

Joel Was An Early Casualty Of Season 2

When The Last of Us returns to screens, however, one clear difference from past seasons will be the absence of Pascal. Despite being one of the dual protagonists of season 1, Joel met his end in "In The Valley" as he is unwittingly led to Abby's encampment and brutally beaten to death. While Pascal returned for flashback tales that explored the developing bond between Ellie and Joel after the events of the first season, behind-the-scenes comments have suggested the actor has officially left the series.

Per the behind-the-scenes video for episode 6, "The Price", it was stated during production that Pascal filmed his final scenes for the series for this episode. As such, unless The Last of Us season 3 features Pascal reprising his role in an alternate perspective in existing scenes, such as the season 1 hospital escape, the actor has likely taken his final bow. However, season 3's new narrative will likely leave little room due to who it will follow.

5The Last of Us Season 3 Will Follow A New Protagonist

Season 2's Most Infamous Character Will Take On The Leading Role

After making a brutal and bloody debut that undoubtedly shattered the hearts of both franchise newcomers and veterans alike, The Last of Us season 3 will push viewers to see Abby's perspective on events. Season 2 opened on Abby making her plans known to her group at her father's grave, as well as showing the nightmares that plague her of discovering his body. Because audiences only receive a small glimpse, Abby is still a figure whom many may have a negative view of.

However, The Last of Us season 3 will likely pick up on Abby's story after the events season 2, episode 2, and truly tackle whether taking Joel's life brought her the closure and catharsis she longed for. Furthermore, as the newly introduced WLF and Seraphite factions continue to grapple with one another, Abby will find herself thrown into a scenario similar to Joel's struggle. Through this experience, audiences will see a different side to Abby that will endear her to viewers.

4The Last of Us Season 3 May Have More New Side Stories Than Past Seasons

Season 2's New Characters Still Feel Largely Unexplored

Alongside Abby, it is likely that the members of her party will also be expanded upon. The Last of Us season 2 already opened up on the backstory for WLF leader Isaac (Jeffrey Wright) with a new scene that depicted his defection from FEDRA to the new faction. However, Owen (Spencer Lord), Mel (Ariela Barer), Nora (Tati Gabrielle), and Manny (Danny Ramirez) received little exploration, especially with the former three meeting their ends.

With this, it is likely that season 3 will pick up the tradition of creating original side-stories that seasons 1 and 2 did. However, with season 2's newcomers and the WLF and Seraphite conflict still remaining largely unexplored due to Ellie's perspective being largely focused on vengeance, season 3 may increase its original character stories to give audiences a better understanding of the coming events. While some characters' fates may be sealed, further fleshing out their backstories will give their deaths greater impact.

3Ellie Will Be The Villain Of The Last of Us Season 3

The Heroine Will Be Framed In A Far Different Light

As audiences gain a better understanding of Abby and her allies' lives, many may have their perspectives on The Last of Us season 1 and 2's heroes altered. While she has had her sights set on revenge, Ellie's actions have been presented with a level of moral ambiguity, showing her being placed in compromising or conflicted positions, such as her showdown with Owen and Mel. However, when placed into the shoes of Abby, Ellie is an oncoming storm who audiences know is coming, and will be framed as a terrifying presence who stalks Abby in the lead-up to their meeting in "Convergence".

2The Last of Us Season 3 Will Follow A New Conflict

The Battles Between The WLF & Seraphites Show A New Side To The Apocalypse

Another way that The Last of Us season 3 will differ from past seasons will be the battles between the WLF and the Seraphites. Aside from Isaac's interrogation of a brutalized Serraphite and a brief glimpse at a group of Seraphites traversing through Seattle before they met a terrible fate, audiences have only seen the conflict through the eyes of Ellie and Dina (Isabelle Merced), and often only the aftermath. As such, audiences have only seen a small glimpse of what is to come.

In season 1, the only notable powers seen are FEDRA, Kathleen's (Melanie Lyskey) movement, and the settlement of Jackson, with the rest of the groups Joel and Ellie encountered being smaller groups of survivors or marauders, and the Cordyceps Infected posing a greater threat than most of them. As such, the coming battles between the WLF and Seraphites will show what it means for two battles to collide in the series' broken world.

1The Last of Us Season 3 Will Tackle New Themes

Season 3 Will Dive Into Moving On From Vengeance

With The Last of Us season 3 throwing audiences into new perspectives, new themes will also emerge for audiences. Across Joel and Ellie's original journey in season 1, audiences watched the series explore what it means to be human, and season 2 introduced the costs of vengeance. However, as The Last of Us season 3 forces Abby to reckon with her current state of living and her role in the WLF's campaign, the controversial lead will be compelled to consider whether forgiveness and peace can truly exist in this new world, especially with Abby's impending and inevitable showdown with Ellie.