Kaitlyn Dever is Ready to Rewind Time as Abby’s Story Takes Center Stage in THE LAST OF US Season 3
Production on the next chapter of The Last of Us is right around the corner, and Kaitlyn Dever is gearing up to dive headfirst into Abby’s side of the story. As Season 3 of the HBO series prepares to roll cameras, Dever is opening up about the scale of what’s coming next and why fans should brace themselves for a very different perspective.
Speaking with Deadline, Dever confirmed she’s about to return to set and that this season marks a major shift for her character. “I’m getting mentally and physically prepped right now. I go up in a couple days, actually, to start prep over there. I’m so excited to kind of take on a much bigger role in the season.”
The Last of Us Season 2 left viewers hanging on a brutal cliffhanger. Abby storms into the Seattle theater, killing Jesse and holding Tommy at gunpoint, forcing Ellie into the open. The episode cuts to black before revealing who survives. Then comes the twist.
The final moments rewind the clock, landing at the Washington Liberation Front’s stadium base as “Seattle Day 1” flashes onscreen. It’s a clear signal that the story is about to loop back and replay those days through Abby’s eyes, mirroring the structure of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us: Part II.
That perspective shift is exactly what Dever is most excited about. “The fans are really going to like it, I think, the shifting perspective onto Abby, getting some more context onto her storyline and going back in time with this season. So, I’m very excited for the fans to see it.”
The move puts Abby front and center, reframing the violence and trauma of Seattle from a completely different angle. For viewers who know the game, this approach is emotionally heavy and intentionally challenging.
For newcomers, it’s about to reshape everything they thought they understood about the conflict between Abby and Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey.
Season 3 also arrives during a notable creative transition. Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the original Naughty Dog games and a major creative force behind the first two seasons, has stepped back from writing and directing duties. He remains attached as co-creator and executive producer, though.
Halley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us: Part II and served as an executive producer and writer on the show, has also exited her day-to-day role on the series.
HBO hasn’t announced whether Season 3 will close out the adaptation, but the story still has plenty of ground to cover. The series is set two decades after modern civilization collapses, following Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, and Ellie as they navigate a ruthless world shaped by infection, loss, and impossible choices.
Seasons 2 and 3 jump five years ahead, pushing both characters into darker territory as their bond fractures and the consequences of past decisions catch up to them.
With Abby’s journey finally stepping into the spotlight, Season 3 looks ready to challenge fans in new ways. If Dever’s excitement is any indication, going back in time might end up pushing The Last of Us forward an intense and emotionally loaded season yet.