Who’s Returning in Season 3?
The Last of Us Season 3 will bring back several key characters from the previous seasons, continuing the emotional and complex storylines fans have grown attached to.
Bella Ramsey will return as Ellie, the young survivor whose journey remains central to the series. Bella has received high praise for their powerful performance and will continue to explore Ellie’s emotional struggles, personal growth, and deep desire for justice following the dramatic events of Season 2.
Kaitlyn Dever takes on a larger role as Abby, a strong and determined soldier from the Washington Liberation Front. Introduced in Season 2, Abby will play a major part in the new season. The story will dive deeper into her past, her motivations, and the difficult moral choices she faces. Fans of the video game know Abby’s journey is a core part of The Last of Us Part II, touching on major themes such as forgiveness, revenge, and survival.
Both Ellie and Abby represent two very different paths shaped by trauma, and their stories are expected to intersect again in powerful and emotional ways in Season 3.
Supporting Cast and Possible Surprises
Several other familiar faces are also returning for The Last of Us Season 3, helping to expand the emotional depth and world-building of the series.
Gabriel Luna will return as Tommy, Joel’s younger brother. As the story progresses, Tommy’s role could grow significantly, especially as both Ellie and Abby continue their separate journeys. Tommy represents a lingering connection to Joel and the emotional past that still shapes the future of these characters.
Isabela Merced returns as Dina, Ellie’s love interest. Their relationship faced major challenges in Season 2, and the upcoming season may explore how the two move forward—if they can. Dina’s character brings warmth and humanity to the post-apocalyptic world, adding emotional contrast to the violence and loss around them.
Though Pedro Pascal’s character Joel died in Season 2, there’s still hope fans might see him again. The creators have hinted that Joel could return in flashbacks or memories. These scenes could offer new insight into his past and provide emotional depth to Ellie’s present.
With this strong returning cast, Season 3 is set to deliver more of the powerful, character-driven storytelling that makes The Last of Us one of the most beloved shows on television.
Key Characters Returning
Gabriel Luna returns as Tommy, Joel’s younger brother. His role is likely to grow as the story continues, especially since he is one of the last links to Joel’s memory. Tommy may play a key part in helping Ellie and guiding others in the post-apocalyptic world.
Isabela Merced will return as Dina, Ellie’s girlfriend. In Season 2, their relationship went through many ups and downs. In Season 3, fans will see if Ellie and Dina can rebuild what they had, or if the pain of the past is too much to overcome.
While Pedro Pascal (Joel) died in Season 2, the creators have hinted that he may return through flashbacks or memory scenes. This could give fans a chance to learn more about Joel’s past and his bond with Ellie.
