John Goodman Joins The Last of Us Season 3

The third season of HBO's post-apocalyptic drama adaptation has expanded its ensemble with notable additions. HBO announced the casting of John Goodman alongside franchise veterans Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey. The casting disclosure arrived on Saturday, September 26, 2026, coinciding with The Last of Us Day, the annual celebration commemorating the date the Cordyceps infection overran society in the fictional universe.

John Goodman and Ian Alexander Form New Duo for the Adaptation

John Goodman enters the franchise as a character named Joey, who was not featured in the original video games. Goodman is paired with Ian Alexander, who has been cast as Paco. HBO described the two characters as a friendly duo who dub themselves 'Heroes of the Highway.'

Alexander is well known to players of the source material for portraying Lev in the second game through voice and performance capture. Because Alexander has grown out of the role, Kyriana Kratter portrays Lev in the television adaptation. Alexander's television credits also include Netflix’s The OA and Star Trek: Discovery.

Goodman joins the series following his work on HBO's comedy The Righteous Gemstones, where he portrayed patriarch Eli Gemstone across four seasons. His extensive career includes prominent roles in Roseanne, The Conners, the Coen brothers' The Big Lebowski, and voicing James P. "Sulley" Sullivan in the Monsters, Inc. Films.

Laura Bailey Returns to the Franchise in a New Role

Laura Bailey takes on the live-action role of Elizabeth, described as one of the leaders of the religious sect known as the Seraphites. Bailey previously voiced Abby in the video games, earning major industry recognition including honors from The Game Awards and BAFTA. Abby is portrayed in HBO's television adaptation by Kaitlyn Dever.

Bailey's involvement in the television series is not entirely new, as she previously appeared in a minor capacity during the season one finale's hospital sequence as one of the Firefly nurses attempting to operate on Ellie. Other original game actors have similarly crossed over into the live-action format, with Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson appearing in different roles during the first season.

Expanded Ensemble and Production Context for Season Three

The newly announced trio joins a growing cast for the upcoming third season. Additional newcomers announced for the season include Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Manny, Patrick Wilson as Jerry, Jason Ritter as Hanley, Michelle Mao as Yara, Kyriana Kratter as Lev, Li Jun Li as Miriam, Peter Sarsgaard as Amon, and Clea DuVall as a Seraphite. They join returning stars Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Jeffrey Wright, Ariella Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord.

Season three is scheduled to premiere in 2027, following the conclusion of season two in May 2025. Co-creator Craig Mazin serves as the sole showrunner for the upcoming season following the departure of co-creator and Naughty Dog developer Neil Druckmann at the conclusion of season two. Executives including HBO and Max Content Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys have indicated that the third season is planned as the final outing for the series, though final determinations rest with the showrunners.

As production continues toward the 2027 premiere window, HBO has not yet disclosed further details regarding how many episodes Goodman, Bailey, and Alexander will appear in or the exact narrative arcs for Joey, Paco, and Elizabeth within the Seraphite storyline.