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Neil Druckmann, the visionary behind The Last of Us video game series and co-creator of its successful HBO adaptation, has officially announced his departure from the show ahead of Season 3. In a statement released on Naughty Dog’s Instagram, Druckmann explained that with work on Season 2 completed and pre-production for Season 3 yet to begin, this felt like the right moment to step away. His decision comes as he prepares to focus fully on Naughty Dog’s next major game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, as well as his broader responsibilities as Studio Head and Head of Creative.
Reflecting on his time with the HBO series, Druckmann called it one of the greatest experiences of his career. He expressed deep gratitude to co-creator Craig Mazin, the cast, and the crew for their passionate work in adapting The Last of Us Part I and continuing into the emotionally charged storylines of Part II. Druckmann emphasized how meaningful the show had become to him, both as a creative endeavor and as a faithful expansion of the world he helped build in the games.
Alongside Druckmann, Halley Gross—who co-wrote The Last of Us Part II and served as a key writer and executive producer on the show—also announced she would be stepping back. Gross explained that her choice was a personal one, aimed at making room for future creative opportunities. She praised her collaboration with Druckmann, Mazin, and HBO, describing the experience as transformative and inspiring.
The exit of both Druckmann and Gross marks a significant shift in the series’ creative leadership, especially with Season 3 already confirmed by HBO following the success of the first two seasons. The show’s debut in 2023 was met with overwhelming praise, and its second season sustained that momentum, further cementing its place as a flagship HBO drama.
Craig Mazin addressed the departures with support and optimism, noting that while he will miss working alongside Druckmann, he remains committed to maintaining the quality and emotional depth fans expect from the show. As one of the original co-creators, Mazin is now expected to take a more central creative role moving forward.
With Druckmann and Gross no longer involved, questions are swirling among fans and critics about the future tone and direction of the show. Will new writers be brought on to fill the creative void? Will Mazin make major narrative changes without Druckmann’s direct guidance? The answers remain unclear, but HBO’s investment in the franchise signals that The Last of Us will continue to be a cornerstone of its programming for the foreseeable future.
For now, Druckmann’s departure represents the end of a key chapter in the show’s development. As he turns his focus back to Naughty Dog and ambitious new projects in the gaming world, fans of both the series and the games will be watching closely to see how The Last of Us evolves on screen without one of its original architects.