The Last of Ushas lost another major player.

Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the hit video game who also helmed the HBO adaptation alongside Craig Mazin, announced he would be exiting the series ahead of production on season three.

“I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my creative involvement in The Last of Us on HBO,” Druckmann said in a statement to The Ankler July 2. “With work completed on season 2 and before any meaningful work starts on season 3, now is the right time for me to transition my complete focus to [video game developer] Naughty Dog and its future projects, including writing and directing our exciting next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, along with my responsibilities as Studio Head and Head of Creative.”

The video game executive—who will continue to be credited as an executive producer on the show—also shared his gratitude for his work on the Pedro Pascaland Bella Ramsey-led series. 

“Co-creating the show has been a career highlight,” Druckmann continued. “It’s been an honor to work alongside Craig Mazin to executive produce, direct and write on the last two seasons. I’m deeply thankful for the thoughtful approach and dedication the talented cast and crew took to adapting The Last of Us Part I and the continued adaptation of The Last of Us Part II.”

In addition to Druckmann’s exit, Halley Gross—who co-wrote the Part II version of the video game and worked on season two of the show—also revealed her departure. 

“With great care and consideration, I’ve decided to take a step back from my day-to-day work on HBO’s The Last of Us to make space for what comes next,” she shared in her own Instagram announcement. “I’m so appreciative of how special this experience has been.”

Gross added, “Working alongside Neil, Craig, HBO, and this remarkable cast and crew has been life changing. The stories we told – about love, loss, and what it means to be human in a terrifying world – are exactly why I love this franchise.”

As for Mazin, he expressed gratitude towards his collaborators for all they did for the show. 

“It’s been a creative dream to work with Neil and bring an adaptation of his brilliant work to life on HBO,” the Chernobyl creator said in a statement to Variety. “I couldn’t have asked for a more generous creative partner. As a true fan of Naughty Dog and Neil’s work in video games, I’m beyond excited to play his next game.”

Looking ahead, Mazin continued, “While he focuses on that, I’ll continue to work with our brilliant cast and crew to deliver the show our audience has come to expect. We are so grateful to Neil and Halley Gross for entrusting the incredible story of The Last of Us Part II to us, and we’re just as grateful to the millions of people around the world who tune in.”

While The Last of Us has officially been renewed for season three, read on to learn the fate of other current TV shows. 

ABC's hit dating compeition series will return for its milestone 30th season, according to Deadline.

Ryan Murphy's cruise series has been canceled by ABC...well, sorta.

The show's ending is "a default cancellation as the cast’s options are expiring on Monday and are not being picked up," Deadline reported June 30, "releasing the actors to do other projects."

Starz's Outlander prequel scored am early season two renewel before its premiere this summer.

The Paramount+ drama was renewed for a second season.

Mobland stars Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren in a story about two mob families who clash in a war that threatens to topple empires and lives.

The Prime Video drama will return for season four.

David Letterman's Netflix series was renewed for two more seasons.

Andy Cohen's late night talk show will continue to bring viewers OMG moments through 2027.

The Prime Video series will return for season three.

The Roku culinary compatition will be back for season four.

FX has ordered a fifth season of its Emmy-winning docuseries that will capture the Club’s upcoming debut in the EFL Championship after its historic third consecutive promotion.

The Emmy-winning comedy was renewed for season five by Max.

The hit drama will be back for season four on Paramount+ With Showtime.

The Netflix series will return for season three.

The Netflix competition series will crown a new winner during its upcoming sophomore season.

The show based on Judy Blume's classic novel was renewed for season two by Netflix

Michelle Buteau's Netflix comedy has been renewed for season three.

The Keri Russell-led drama will return for season four on Netflix.

Netflix has renewed the new comedy for a second season.

The Netflix reality series will return for its fourth season.

The period drama was renewed for seasons fives and six, and season four of the Netflix series doesn't ever premiere until 2026.

The revived NBC legal drama is done after just one season, according to multiple outlets.

The NBC drama starring Shanola Hampton and Mark-Paul Gosselaar has been canceled after two seasons, according to multiple outlets.

After two seasons on E!, the reality competition series featuring TV baddies competing for $200,000 will return for season three on Peacock on 2026.

The Hulu original will return for its sophomore season.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. 

Captain Sandy Yawn and team return to the waters of Europe when season 10 premieres.

The Bravo cast will continue to charm viewers on season 11.

The Utah Housewives will continue to bring the drama on season six.

RHOP was renewed by Bravo for its milestone 10th season.

The Bravo reality show about Leva Bonaparte's Charleston drama-loving staff was renewed for season four.

The city that started it all will return for season 19 on Bravo.

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