As The Last of Us season 3 amps up production, with the filming taking place in Canada in March 2026, we're starting to learn about the castings of key characters. Most recently, reports have confirmed the arrival of Michelle Mao as Yara and Kyriana Kratter as Lev for season 3.
The Last of Us season 3 is shaping up have the show's largest ensemble cast yet. Of course, season 1 tightly followed the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsay), while season 2 opened up the story, introducing Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) into the fold. The upcoming story shifts the narrative massively, focusing heavily on Abby's side of the story, providing her perspective after her explosive introduction in season 2, where she beat Joel to death with a golf club. It was massively controversial when it happened in the games, and just as much for the TV series.
Just before the credits roll on the season 2 finale, the story loops back 72 hours, shifting perspective to Abby at the Seattle WLF headquarters. Of course, previous casting announcements have cemented that the new season will shift heavily to Abby's story, with the show casting both Patrick Wilson and Jason Ritter as Abby's father Jerry and WLF soldier Hanley, respectively.
The latest casting news comes from Deadline, seeing Michelle Mao (known for playing Rosamund Li in Bridgerton) and Kyriana Kratter (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) joining as siblings Yara and Lev for season 3.
Who are Yara and Lev?
Both Yara an Lev are former members of the brutal, primitivist cult, the Seraphites, who ultimately defect and form a close bond with Abby. While neither appeared in season 2, their group, the Seraphites (or 'Scars'), were introduced in the Seattle storyline as the main enemies of the Washington Liberation Front.
In The Last of Us Part II, Lev fills a similar role for Abby as Ellie filled for Joel in the first game. The two form an unlikely bond, with Abby becoming Lev's protector while Lev brings a new sense of purpose and morality into her life. Deadline confirms that Lev is a 13-year-old transgender boy in the television show, just like in the video game. Expect that to be an important piece of Yara and Lev's story with the Seraphites.
Outside of those we've mentioned, other season 3 new cast members include Clea DuVall (The Faculty, But I'm a Cheerleader), who plays a Seraphite. Jorge Lendeborg Jr. is the recast of Manny after Danny Ramirez's departure from the series. The rest of the main cast are also expected to return, including Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, and Jeffrey Wright.
No release date has been set for The Last of Us season 3, but given that production has only recently commenced, it won't be out for a while. We expect to see it to hit screens sometime in 2027. In the meantime, seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on HBO Max (which is now, incidentally, finally available in the UK!)