The Last Of Us Season 3 Shakeup: Neil Druckmann Departs Amid Ratings Dip and Controversy

The Last of Us is going through some changes over at Sony, Warner Bros., and HBO, as Neil Druckmann has decided to exit creatively from Season 3. This news comes amidst a declining viewership and ongoing controversies surrounding the show.

The ratings for Season 2 took a hit after Pedro Pascal’s departure. While Druckmann has stated that he’s moving on, it’s possible that the negative feedback from fans played a role in his decision. Many fans were upset about Joel’s early demise in The Last of Us Part II video game and this sentiment carried over to the TV series.

Some argue that The Last of Us has shifted its focus to an LGBTQ+ storyline, particularly highlighting Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and new character Dina (Isabela Merced). The moment where Dina becomes pregnant, they share a kiss, and Ellie jokes about being the dad gained a lot of attention on social media.

Craig Mazin, known for his work on HBO’s Chernobyl and The Hangover sequels, is stepping in to take over as showrunner for Season 3. Druckmann will still serve as a co-creator and executive producer, but Mazin will be leading the charge creatively.

Druckmann explained his decision to step away from the creative process for The Last of Us on HBO, citing his focus on Naughty Dog’s future projects. Mazin expressed his excitement to continue working on the show and acknowledged the trust placed in him by Druckmann and Halley Gross.

While there are some uncertainties about the show’s creative direction moving forward, one thing is for sure – The Last of Us is going through some significant changes behind the scenes.