Patrick Wilson and Jason Ritter Join ‘The Last of Us’ Season 3

HBO’s critically acclaimed series, The Last of Us, is expanding its cast for the upcoming third season with the addition of Patrick Wilson and Jason Ritter. The news comes alongside the promotion of Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord to series regulars, signaling a deepening of the show’s narrative as it prepares to focus on the story of Abby.

New Cast Members and Roles

Patrick Wilson, known for his roles in The Conjuring franchise and Fargo, will portray Jerry, the father of Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever). Jason Ritter, who previously appeared in Season 1 as a Clicker, will return as Hanley, a soldier within the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). The Hollywood Reporter first reported the casting news.

Returning and Promoted Cast

Ariela Barer (Mel), Tati Gabrielle (Nora Harris), and Spencer Lord (Owen Moore) will all reprise their roles and have been elevated to series regular status after appearing in three episodes each during Season 2. Variety confirms these promotions.

Season 3 Focus: Abby’s Story

Season 3 of The Last of Us is expected to largely center on Abby’s storyline, drawing heavily from the events of The Last of Us Part II video game. Jerry’s character plays a pivotal role in Abby’s motivations, as his death at the hands of Joel fuels much of her arc. The show has previously demonstrated a willingness to expand upon and alter the source material, so the extent of Jerry’s role remains to be seen.

Creative Shifts Behind the Scenes

The upcoming season will too see a change in showrunning duties, with Craig Mazin taking on the role as sole showrunner following Neil Druckmann’s departure to focus on projects at Naughty Dog, the studio behind the video game franchise. The Wrap details this shift in creative leadership.

Returning Cast Members

Alongside the new additions, Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, and Jeffrey Wright are all set to return for Season 3. Clea DuVall and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. Have also joined the cast, with Lendeborg Jr. Replacing Danny Ramirez as Manny.

Release Date

As of March 17, 2026, a release date for Season 3 of The Last of Us has not yet been announced, though it is expected in 2027. ScreenRant provides the latest updates on the show’s production.