Neil Druckmann, the creative force behind The Last of Us video game franchise and co-creator of its acclaimed HBO adaptation, has officially announced his departure from the show ahead of its third season. Joining him in stepping back is Halley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us Part II and served as writer and executive producer on the series.
Druckmann Bids Farewell to the HBO Series
Druckmann confirmed his exit via a statement shared on Naughty Dog’s official Instagram. With production wrapped on Season 2 and work on Season 3 yet to begin, he explained that the timing was ideal for him to focus entirely on future projects at Naughty Dog.
“With work completed on season 2 and before any meaningful work starts on season 3, now is the right time for me to transition my complete focus to Naughty Dog and its future projects,” Druckmann wrote.
Among those projects is Naughty Dog’s upcoming PlayStation 5 game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which Druckmann is writing and directing. In addition to his role on the game, he will continue to lead Naughty Dog as Studio Head and Head of Creative.
Despite his departure, Druckmann reflected positively on his time working on the show.
“Co-creating the show has been a career highlight,” he said. “It’s been an honor to work alongside Craig Mazin to executive produce, direct and write on the last two seasons.”
Druckmann will remain credited as an executive producer on The Last of Us moving forward.
Halley Gross Also Steps Back
In a parallel announcement, Halley Gross also revealed she would no longer be involved in the HBO series. Her statement echoed Druckmann’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work on the adaptation.
“With great care and consideration, I’ve decided to take a step back from my day-to-day work on HBO’s The Last of Us to make space for what comes next,” Gross posted on Instagram. “The stories we told – about love, loss, and what it means to be human in a terrifying world – are exactly why I love this franchise.”
While she didn’t specify what’s next, Gross hinted at exciting new creative ventures on the horizon.
Craig Mazin Will Continue with Season 3
With Druckmann and Gross stepping away, co-creator and showrunner Craig Mazin will remain at the helm for Season 3. In a public statement, Mazin praised Druckmann’s contributions and reassured fans of the show’s continued quality.
“It’s been a creative dream to work with Neil and bring an adaptation of his brilliant work to life on HBO,” said Mazin. “While he focuses on [his new game], I’ll continue to work with our brilliant cast and crew to deliver the show our audience has come to expect.”
Mazin also extended his appreciation to both Druckmann and Gross for entrusting him with the story of The Last of Us Part II, the source material for the upcoming season.
What to Expect in Season 3
Season 2 of The Last of Us, which concluded in May 2025, adapted major portions of the 2020 video game The Last of Us Part II. HBO renewed the series for a third season in April, and it is expected to continue the narrative from Abby’s perspective, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever.
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey have delivered critically acclaimed performances as Joel and Ellie, with the first season winning eight Emmys out of 24 nominations. Season 1 also became one of HBO’s most-watched drama series in history.
Naughty Dog’s Next Chapter: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
While stepping away from the HBO show, Druckmann’s focus now turns to Naughty Dog’s new project — Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Officially announced in December, the PS5 game stars Tati Gabrielle (known for her role as Nora in The Last of Us Season 2) as Jordan A. Mun, a stranded bounty hunter navigating a mysterious alien world.
Grammy and Oscar-winning musicians Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are scoring the game, adding to the anticipation. Though no official release date has been shared, the title already stands as one of the most buzzed-about upcoming PlayStation exclusives.
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