Bella Ramsey, who portrays Ellie in the critically acclaimed HBO series “The Last of Us,” has a straightforward message for viewers expressing dissatisfaction with the show and its narrative departures from the original game, especially as the third season approaches: “You don`t have to watch it.”
During an appearance on The Awardist podcast, Ramsey commented on the significant controversy surrounding the second season. This season prominently features Kaitlyn Dever`s Abby brutally murdering Joel, played by Pedro Pascal. Ramsey disclosed that they intentionally attempted to “steer clear” of the extensive public discourse and debates.
“There`s nothing I can do about it anyway. The show is out. Nothing can be changed or altered [for Season 2]. There`s really no point in reading or looking at anything. People are, of course, entitled to their opinions. It doesn`t affect the show, it doesn`t affect how the show continues or anything, in any way, so they`re very separate things to me. So no, I just don`t really engage in those discussions,” Ramsey clarified.
With anticipation building for Season 3, Ramsey further suggested that fans who prefer the original story can always revisit the game.
“I would say this: you don`t have to watch it. If you hate it that much, the game exists. You can just play the game again. You don`t have to watch [Season 3]. If you do want to watch it, I hope you enjoy it,” Ramsey explained.
The television adaptation of “The Last of Us” has deliberately moved away from its game counterpart, a creative decision made from the very beginning. Showrunner Craig Mazin admitted he anticipated a considerable amount of “fury” from fans regarding Season 2`s storyline, and indeed, some viewers reacted with strong opinions. Conversely, many others enjoyed and fully embraced the second season. Mazin emphasized the creative team`s guiding principle: “We don`t operate to either make people happy on social media or avoid making them upset.”
Notably, Neil Druckmann, a veteran of “The Last of Us” game series, will not be involved in the production of Season 3. His current focus is on his commitments at Naughty Dog and directing their upcoming new game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
The third season of “The Last of Us” is scheduled to premiere in 2027. A final decision on whether Season 3 will be the series` conclusion or if an additional season will follow has not yet been announced.
In parallel, within the gaming world, Naughty Dog is reportedly developing The Last of Us: Part III, promising more adventures in this beloved universe.