Photo Credit: HBO Max
A major The Last of Us actor won’t be returning for Season 3, and the role is now being recast.

Created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO, The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series that is based on the popular video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog. Starring Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, the first season premiered in January 2023, while Season 2 then arrived in April 2025.

The Last of Us has been renewed for a third season; however, Druckmann and writer Haley Gross have stepped away from the project, while Mazin now remains as the sole showrunner. It is expected to premiere in 2027, though an exact release date has not yet been set.

Who is being recast in The Last of Us Season 3?

Per Nexus Point News, an outlet that has proven to be reliable when it comes to breaking big scoops, Danny Ramirez will not be reprising his role as Manny in The Last of Us Season 3. The role is currently being recast.

“Reasons for Ramirez’s recasting are currently unknown,” the article notes. “Although his appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars is currently unconfirmed, his commitments for the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have posed a potential conflict.”

Ramirez plays Joaquin Torres/Falcon in the MCU. It has been confirmed that he’ll appear in Avengers: Doomsday, though whether or not he’s also part of the Avengers: Secret Wars cast remains to be seen. According to Nexus Point News, The Last of Us Season 3 is expected to begin production in March and last through November, while Avengers: Secret Wars will also be filming over this coming summer.

Manny appeared in four episodes of The Last of Us Season 2, which is now available to stream on HBO Max. The cast of the show’s second season further includes Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, and Kaitlyn Dever as Abby.