Tһe Lаst Of Us Seаson 2 Adаptinɡ Tһe “Lost Levels” Sһows How HBO’s Seаson 3 Could Work

The revelation that The Last of Us season 2 may include the Lost Levels from the games hints at how the HBO series can continue into season 3.

Summary

The Last of Us season 2 pulling from unreleased game material opens up the possibility for season 3 to do the same.
Staying faithful to the games is crucial for the success of The Last of Us adaptation.
Naughty Dog allowing the HBO show to use the Lost Levels will ensure there’s a blueprint, even without The Last of Us Part III.

There’s been speculation about whether HBO’s The Last of Us can continue beyond season 2, and the news that the series will adapt The Last of Us games’ “Lost Levels” reveals how season 3 can work. The Last of Us season 1 proved a massive hit upon its early 2023 release, investing longtime fans and newcomers in the journeys of Pedro Pascal’s and Bella Ramsey’s Joel and Ellie. It’s no surprise that HBO greenlit The Last of Us season 2, but given how the second game ends, it’s questionable whether the show will continue beyond that.

Showrunner Craig Mazin has hinted that The Last of Us could go beyond three seasons, but it would need to make some major changes to its storytelling approach — or diverge from the source material — to make that happen. For this reason, The Last of Us season 3 is a controversial topic. However, co-creator Neil Druckmann’s revelation that season 2 could contain cut content from The Last of Us Part II hints at how a third outing could play out.

What The Last Of Us Season 2’s “Lost Level” Plan Means For Season 3

Abby standing in the rain in The Last of Us Part II next to Bella Ramsey looking sad as Ellie in HBO's The Last of Us

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Druckmann revealed that, while things could change upon filming, “at least one element from a cut level” is planned for The Last of Us season 2. He’s referring to the Lost Levels, which were cut from The Last of Us Part II game but will be released with The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Their inclusion comes as something of a surprise, and it means that the show’s creators are working with Naughty Dog behind the scenes. This bodes well for season 2, as well as any future installments of the show.

The poster for HBO's The Last of Us between Abby and Lev's character models from The Last Of Us Part II

7 The Last Of Us Part II Characters We Can’t Wait To See In Season 2

The Last of Us season 2 will follow the story of The Last of Us Part II, meaning several exciting characters from the latter will make their TV debut.

It’s not entirely clear what extra content will show up in the HBO series. However, it’s comforting to know that the show’s creators have access to cut material from the games. This content could help draw the story out into a third season, introducing characters and situations that spawn new subplots. And even if The Last of Us season 2 sticks primarily to the second game’s original story, its ability to include unreleased material means that season 3 can pull from unused storylines or even future game plans.

Last Of Us Season 3 Needs To Stay Faithful To The Games (Despite No TLOU 3 Yet)

Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie in HBO's The Last of Us

No matter how HBO’s The Last of Us chooses to proceed, it needs to stay faithful to the games. This is the recipe for success for any adaptation, and it’s what makes the first season so great. Although The Last of Us expands on the games’ story and lore, it doesn’t make unnecessary changes to the source material. Future seasons need to do the same if they hope to succeed. That’s why it’s promising that Naughty Dog is letting the show use the Lost Levels in The Last of Us season 2 — and possibly season 3. This offers a blueprint, even if The Last of Us Part III doesn’t happen.