The Last of Us Season 3 Filming Process on Temporary Break, Due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Production on HBO's highly anticipated series, "The Last of Us Season 3," has entered a temporary hiatus.

This hiatus runs from June 1 to June 28, 2026, coinciding with the preparations for and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

This move is not a cancellation, but rather a schedule adjustment due to the logistical impact of the global sporting event.

Vancouver, where the series, working title "Calm Current," is being filmed, is one of the host cities for the World Cup.

While HBO has not provided an official explanation for the hiatus, the production hiatus is closely tied to the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on June 11 and continue through July 19, 2026.

World Cup preparations involve traffic restrictions, location closures, and increased demand for public services, which could significantly impact production operations in the city.

Filming on "The Last of Us Season 3" began on March 2, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on November 27, 2026.

This temporary hiatus is not expected to alter the overall production schedule.

The third season is expected to premiere on HBO in 2027.

The third season of the series will shift the focus to the character of Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever.

The narrative will explore Abby's three-day journey to Seattle, her background, the impact of her father's death, and her journey to intersect with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal).

The season will adapt the second half of the 2020 game "The Last of Us Part II," delving into the conflict between the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the Seraphites.

In addition to Kaitlyn Dever, Bella Ramsey, and Pedro Pascal, the cast also includes Kyriana Kratter as Lev, a transgender teenage member of the Seraphites, and Michelle Mao as Yara, Lev's sister.

Jorge Lendeborg Jr. will take over the role of Manny after Danny Ramirez's departure.

Patrick Wilson plays Jerry, Abby's father, and Clea DuVall also joins the cast as a character from the Seraphite group.

Behind the scenes, Neil Druckmann, one of the series' creators, reduced his creative involvement in July 2025 to focus on Naughty Dog projects, particularly "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet."

As such, Craig Mazin will remain the sole showrunner.

It's possible that this third season will be the series' final, although Mazin previously expressed his hope to wrap up the narrative by season four.

Critics' reception of the previous seasons was quite positive, with the first season earning a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating and the second season earning a 92% from critics.

However, audience ratings for the second season were lower, at 37% and 39%.