HBO's acclaimed drama The Last of Us will recast a significant role ahead of its highly anticipated third season. Actor Danny Ramirez, who portrayed the character Manny in the show's second season, will not be returning due to scheduling conflicts, as reported by Variety.
Marvel Commitments Force Exit
Ramirez, best known for playing Joaquin Torres, the new Falcon, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has a packed slate that prevents his return. His Marvel journey includes The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) and this year's Captain America: Brave New World. He is also set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and the Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic Samo Lives.
In the second season of the post-apocalyptic series, Ramirez's character Manny was a key ally to Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, assisting in her quest for vengeance against Pedro Pascal's Joel. His departure means a new actor will step into the role for the next chapter of the story.
A Bold Creative Shift for Season 3
The casting change coincides with a major narrative pivot for the series. Co-creator Neil Druckmann confirmed back in June that the third season will switch its primary focus to follow Dever's character, Abby. This mirrors the structural shift in the original video game on which the series is based.
Speaking at an Emmys event in Los Angeles in late 2025, Druckmann expressed gratitude for the creative freedom HBO afforded the team. "I can't believe that they let us structure the series in this way," he said. "Season 3 is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn. They've leaned into what makes the story special."
Embracing a Controversial Character
Abby is a contentious figure for fans, as she was responsible for the death of the beloved protagonist Joel in the season two premiere. Addressing the controversy, Kaitlyn Dever, who joined the event via video link, said her trust in the creative team overrode any concerns.
"The controversy surrounding Abby was never really a concern for me," Dever stated. "It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had as an actor... it really felt like such a team effort."
While no release date has been set for season three, Druckmann and co-creator Craig Mazin have indicated they believe a fourth season will be necessary to complete the adaptation of the game's story. The search for a new actor to play Manny is now underway as production on the next chapter looms.
