HBO’s “The Last of Us” is expanding its Season 3 ensemble with John Goodman, Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander, adding three new characters as the postapocalyptic drama prepares for its expected return next year.
Goodman will play Joey, while Alexander has been cast as Paco. The two characters make up a self-nicknamed duo known as the “Heroes of the Highway.”
Bailey will portray Elizabeth, one of the leaders of the Seraphites, a religious sect within the world of the series.
Video game veterans take on new roles
Both Bailey and Alexander already have connections to “The Last of Us” video game franchise, although they are entering the HBO series in newly announced roles.
Bailey played Abby in “The Last of Us: Part II.” Her other work includes lending her voice to “The Legend of Vox Machina” and playing Mary Jane Watson in the 2023 “Spider-Man 2” video game.
Alexander played Lev in “The Last of Us: Part II.” The actor also appeared as Buck Vu in the television series “The OA.”
Goodman, meanwhile, also plays President Compson in the Tom Cruise movie “Digger,” which opens Oct. 2.
The three performers join a substantial list of previously announced Season 3 additions. Clea Duvall, Patrick Wilson, Jason Ritter, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Michelle Mao and Kyriana Kratter are also set to appear in the new season.
Kaitlyn Dever, Bella Ramsey, Isabella Merced, Gabriel Luna and Jeffrey Wright are among the returning cast members. Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle and Spencer Lord have been elevated to series regulars for Season 3.
A creative change behind the scenes
The new season will arrive amid a significant shift in the show’s creative leadership. Craig Mazin, who co-created the television adaptation with “The Last of Us” game creator Neil Druckmann, will serve as the sole showrunner for Season 3. Mazin will also continue as a writer and executive producer.
Druckmann’s departure from the show ahead of the third season had previously been announced.
Based on the Sony PlayStation video game franchise of the same name, “The Last of Us” unfolds in a postapocalyptic America devastated by a widespread infection. Most of the population has been transformed into zombielike creatures, with the story following characters attempting to navigate that world.
The series is co-produced by HBO and Sony Pictures Television. Along with Mazin, the executive producers are Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan and Evan Wells. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint and Naughty Dog are the producing companies.
Goodman is represented by Gersh, Alexander by Curate and Bailey by CAA.
What Happens Next?
“The Last of Us” is expected to return to HBO next year, with Season 3 possibly serving as the drama’s final season. The expanded cast and Mazin’s move into the sole showrunner position set the stage for the series’ next chapter, though the season’s status as the conclusion remains uncertain.