There’s a significant creative shakeup happening on HBO’s The Last of Us as Season 3 begins. Sources confirm that showrunner Neil Druckmann will step back creatively from the series, no longer writing or directing any episodes. He will continue to serve as co-creator and executive producer.
Druckmann made the decision to transition his focus to other projects at Naughty Dog, including a new game titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He expressed gratitude for the experience of co-creating and producing The Last of Us with Craig Mazin, saying it was a “career highlight” and thanking the cast and crew for their dedication.
Executive producer Halley Gross will also be exiting her day-to-day duties on the series, citing a need to “make space for what comes next.” Gross’s statement praised working alongside Druckmann, Mazin, and the team, highlighting the importance of storytelling in The Last of Us franchise.
Craig Mazin confirmed the departure, stating that it was a “creative dream” to work with Druckmann and bring the adaptation to life on HBO. He expressed excitement for the upcoming season, which will continue the story from The Last of Us Part II, and reassured fans that the show’s creative team would deliver.
The news raises questions about how the series might be impacted without Druckmann’s direct involvement. Despite this uncertainty, Mazin is committed to delivering the show to its audience, who are eagerly awaiting Season 3’s continuation.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/07/the-last-of-us-co-creator-neil-druckmann-exits-season-3-1236448125