Rest assured, fans of The Last of Us, the show will not be concluding with its second season on HBO. Just as the popular adaptation of Naughty Dog’s games is about to return to the network and Max for its next set of episodes, HBO has formally approved a third season of the series.

Given the show’s immense success, it would have been astonishing if The Last of Us weren’t scheduled to continue beyond its current seven-episode stint. The second season does not encompass all the startling events of , the game it’s based on. Neil Druckmann, from Naughty Dog, and Craig Mazin, the show’s creators and showrunners, have long been adamant that adapting the entirety of Part 2 would require at least two seasons, given its complexity. Furthermore, the first season achieved significant viewership, with tens of millions of people watching Joel and Ellie navigate the post-apocalyptic United States.

According to Mazin, “We approached season two with the aim of creating something that would make us proud.” He added, “The outcome has surpassed our highest expectations, thanks to our ongoing collaboration with HBO and the outstanding work of our cast and crew. We look forward to continuing The Last of Us story with season three!”

While HBO hasn’t disclosed a release timeline for the third season, it’s likely that the gap between seasons will be shorter this time around. The second season was affected by the 2023 Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, causing a delay. Additionally, viewers will likely be eager to find out what happens next after the events of season two, making a lengthy wait less feasible.

Season two of The Last of Us is set to premiere on HBO and Max this Sunday, April 13. Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham and found it to be a commendable adaptation of the non-linear source material, addressing certain issues from the first season.