Bella Ramsey, the actress who brilliantly portrays Ellie in HBO`s acclaimed series “The Last of Us,” has issued a clear statement to viewers expressing discontent over the show`s creative decisions and its divergence from the original source material, particularly as Season 3 approaches: “You don`t have to watch it.”
Ramsey also addressed the contentious reception of the second season, which depicted the brutal killing of Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) by Abby. She revealed her active efforts to keep a distance from the intense online discussions and controversies surrounding these events.
“There`s genuinely nothing I can do about it now,” Ramsey clarified. “The season has already been released, and no elements can be altered or modified within it. It`s largely pointless to consume or dwell on negative feedback. While people are certainly entitled to their opinions, these comments truly don`t influence the show`s artistic direction or its future development in any way. For me, these are entirely separate concerns, which is why I simply choose not to engage with them.”
Looking ahead to the third season, Ramsey offered a practical suggestion for those who are unhappy with the series` narrative choices: they can always revert to playing the original game. “My advice would be: you are under no obligation to watch it. If your dislike for it is that strong, the game is readily available. You can always revisit and play it again. There`s no compulsion to watch [Season 3]. However, if you do decide to tune in, I sincerely hope you find enjoyment in it,” she elaborated.
It has been consistently emphasized that “The Last of Us” television adaptation was always conceived with the intention of making significant deviations from its video game predecessor. Showrunner Craig Mazin openly admitted to anticipating a “fury” from fans following Season 2 and affirmed that the creators` primary objective is neither to pander to nor to intentionally upset audiences on social media platforms.
Notably, Neil Druckmann, a veteran figure intimately involved with “The Last of Us” game series, will not be participating in the production of Season 3. His current focus is dedicated to his responsibilities at Naughty Dog and directing their forthcoming new game, titled “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.”
The highly anticipated third season of “The Last of Us” is slated for a 2027 premiere. A final decision is still pending on whether this will mark the show`s conclusion or if plans for a fourth season will emerge.
Concurrently, reports suggest that Naughty Dog is also in the process of developing “The Last of Us: Part III” for the gaming franchise.