HBO's critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us has undergone a significant casting change ahead of its highly anticipated third season, with a key character being recast following an actor's departure.
Major Recasting for The Last of Us Season Three
The series, which is based on the immensely popular video game franchise of the same name, has confirmed that actor Danny Ramirez will not return to portray the character Manny in the forthcoming season. Ramirez has exited the production due to scheduling conflicts with other professional commitments, necessitating a recasting decision for this important role.
New Actor Steps Into the Role
Jorge Lendeborg Jr, known for his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, has been confirmed as the actor who will take over the part of Manny. The character was introduced in the show's second season as a member of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), the militant group that assisted Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, in her pursuit of Ellie's mentor Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal.
This recasting comes at a pivotal narrative moment, as season three is set to shift its primary point of view from Ellie, played by returning star Bella Ramsey, to Abby's perspective. This structural change means that Manny, as part of Abby's storyline, will likely assume a more substantial role in the upcoming episodes.
Ramirez's Other Projects
While the specific project that prevented Danny Ramirez from continuing with The Last of of Us remains undisclosed, the actor has several high-profile commitments on his schedule. He is set to star in The Juice, a tragicomedy described as having similarities to The Wolf of Wall Street, and will also appear in a modernised remake of the classic film Scarface.
Furthermore, Ramirez is scheduled to reprise his role as Joaquin Torres from Captain America: Brave New World in the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated for release in December 2026.
Additional Casting News for Season Three
The new season will also welcome actress Clea DuVall to the ensemble cast. DuVall, whose extensive television credits include Carnivale, Better Call Saul, Veep, and The Handmaid's Tale, will portray a member of the Seraphites. This violent faction is known within the series for conducting disturbing sacrificial rituals involving their enemies.
Jorge Lendeborg Jr brings his own notable filmography to the role, having previously appeared in the romantic comedy Love, Simon and the Transformers spin-off film Bumblebee.
Returning Cast Members and Production Status
Fans will be pleased to learn that several familiar faces are confirmed to return for the new season. Isabela Merced will reprise her role as Dina, Gabriel Luna returns as Tommy, and Jeffrey Wright will once again portray Isaac. Production for season three is currently underway.
The series, co-created by Chernobyl's Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the creative force behind the original video game, continues to generate significant speculation about its future. When questioned recently about whether the upcoming season might conclude the series, HBO president Casey Bloys indicated to Deadline that while it appears to be heading in that direction, the final decision rests with the showrunners.
