THE LAST OF US Season 3 Casts Lev and Yara as HBO Prepares for Abby’s Story
The Last of Us series is about to shift in a big way, and if you’ve played the games, you already know what’s coming isn’t exactly smooth sailing.
HBO’s adaptation has mirrored the emotional beats of the PlayStation series so far, from its breakout first season to the divisive second chapter. Now, Season 3 is stepping into new territory, and two major characters from The Last of Us Part II have officially joined the cast.
According to Deadline, Kyriana Kratter and Michelle Mao are stepping into the roles of Lev and Yara, two key figures tied directly to Abby’s storyline.
The story will move away from Ellie’s revenge-driven arc and instead follow Abby’s journey during the same timeline. It’s a structure that fans of the game will recognize immediately, and one that sparked a lot of conversation when it first debuted.
Lev and Yara aren’t just supporting characters either. They are essential to Abby’s evolution. Both are members of the Seraphites, a faction that stands in direct conflict with Abby’s WLF group.
Despite that tension, the three characters end up forming an unlikely alliance built on survival. That connection creates a dynamic that echoes the emotional core of Joel and Ellie, but with its own unique energy and complications.
There’s confirmation that this storyline will collide with Bella Ramsey’s Ellie at some point, which means fans should brace for some intense moments ahead.
Lev’s arc stands out as one of the most personal and layered stories in the franchise. He’s a transgender boy who turns his back on the role assigned to him by the Seraphite elders, choosing instead to pursue life as a warrior.
That decision leads to exile and sets off a chain of events that defines his journey. HBO reportedly conducted an “inclusive casting call” to find the right actor for the role, with Kratter ultimately landing the part.
As for the actors themselves, Mao recently appeared as the villainous stepsister Rosamund in Bridgerton Season 4, while Kratter may be familiar to fans as KB from Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Both actors will share significant screen time with Kaitlyn Dever, who takes on the role of Abby.
They’re also joining a growing lineup of new faces this season, including Clea DuVall as another Seraphite, Jason Ritter as WLF soldier Haley, Patrick Wilson as Abby’s father Jerry, and Jorge Lendeborg Jr., who steps in as Manny after Danny Ramirez exited the project.
With Lev and Yara now officially in play, the show is setting up one of the most talked-about arcs from the games. Whether audiences embrace it or push back again, one thing’s clear, this next chapter is going to be intense.