The Last of Us Season 3 Casts Video Game Alumni in New Roles

HBO’s The Last of Us is bringing back two actors from the original video game for its third and final season—but not in the roles fans might expect. Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander, who voiced Abby and Lev in The Last of Us Part II, will play entirely new characters in the upcoming season.

Game Alumni Join The Last of Us Season 3

HBO has announced new casting for the third and final season of its series The Last of Us. According to Gizmodo, actors Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander, who voiced characters Abby and Lev in the video game The Last of Us Part II, will join the show. They will portray new characters: Bailey as Elizabeth, a leader of the Seraphites, and Alexander as Paco, one half of the Heroes of the Highway duo.

A Pattern of Game-Inspired Casting

This isn’t the first time the show has brought in actors from the original game for new or original roles. For example, Ashley Johnson, who played Ellie in the games, portrayed Ellie’s mother in the HBO adaptation. This strategy reflects a deliberate effort to blend game canon with fresh storytelling, while acknowledging the source material’s fanbase.

New Roles, Familiar Faces

The decision to cast Bailey and Alexander, who played polarizing characters in the game, is notable. In The Last of Us Part II, Bailey voiced Abby, a character who sparked significant discourse among fans, while Alexander played Lev, a trans kid and former Seraphite who becomes Abby’s companion. Their inclusion in the show—albeit in new roles—may reignite conversations about representation and fan expectations.

Timeline for the Final Season

Season 3 of The Last of Us is scheduled to premiere in 2027 on HBO.

What this means

LazyFounders analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For startup founders in the entertainment and media space, The Last of Us’ casting strategy reveals a smart way to leverage existing fan loyalty while introducing fresh narratives. By bringing in actors from the original game—even in new roles—the show reinforces its connection to the source material without being bound by it. This approach could inspire startups in gaming, streaming, or content creation to think creatively about how to engage audiences by balancing nostalgia with innovation.

The decision to cast Bailey and Alexander, who played polarizing characters in the game, also highlights the risks and rewards of recontextualizing familiar talent. For operators, it’s a reminder that audience expectations are malleable: what matters is how you frame the story, not just who’s telling it.

Key takeaways

• HBO’s The Last of Us has cast Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander, who voiced characters in the original game, for its third and final season.
• Bailey will play Elizabeth, a leader of the Seraphites, while Alexander will portray Paco, part of the Heroes of the Highway duo.
• The show has previously included game actors in new or original roles, reinforcing its ties to the franchise.
• Season 3 is scheduled to air in 2027 on HBO.

FAQ

Who are Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander playing in The Last of Us Season 3?

Laura Bailey will play Elizabeth, a leader of the Seraphites, while Ian Alexander will portray Paco, one half of the Heroes of the Highway duo.

Will Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander reprise their roles from the The Last of Us Part II game?

No. Bailey and Alexander will play new characters, Elizabeth and Paco, rather than Abby and Lev, the roles they voiced in the game.

When will The Last of Us Season 3 premiere?

Season 3 is scheduled to air in 2027 on HBO.

Has The Last of Us previously cast game actors in new roles?

Yes. The show has a history of incorporating actors from the original game into new or original roles, such as Ashley Johnson playing Ellie’s mother in the HBO series.

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