Neil Druckmann Steps Down from HBO’s The Last of Us

Neil Druckmann, the head of PlayStation studio Naughty Dog and co-creator of the critically acclaimed game The Last of Us, has announced that he is stepping away from the HBO show based on the game. Druckmann will be focusing his attention on Naughty Dog’s next game project.

Statement from Neil Druckmann

In a statement released on Instagram, Druckmann expressed his gratitude to the cast and crew of the show, calling his experience working on it a "career highlight." He also thanked showrunner Craig Mazin and stated that he is excited to transition his focus to Naughty Dog’s future projects, including writing and directing the upcoming game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Previous Involvement with the Show

Druckmann was credited as executive producer and co-creator of the show and directed one episode in each of the show’s two seasons. He also contributed to the writing of several other episodes. The majority of the show’s writing was done by Mazin.

The Ankler’s Exclusive

The Ankler was the first to publish Druckmann’s statement, which was later officially released by Naughty Dog.

Halley Gross’ Departure

Shortly after Druckmann’s announcement, Halley Gross, co-writer of The Last of Us Part II and multiple episodes of the show, announced that she would also be stepping away from the HBO adaptation. Gross expressed her appreciation for the experience and stated that she has new projects in the works.

Craig Mazin’s Response

Mazin released a statement, published in Variety, expressing his gratitude to Druckmann for their collaboration on the show. He praised Druckmann’s work and stated that he is excited to continue working on the show with the cast and crew.

Fan Reception and Future of the Show

The news comes after a mixed reception for the show’s second season, which faced criticism for its pacing and faithfulness to the original game. The departure of Druckmann and Gross may bring changes to the show’s creative direction, but it is too early to tell how this will impact the series. The third season is not expected to premiere until 2027.

Update

This article has been updated to include statements from Halley Gross and Craig Mazin, released on July 2, 2025, at 2:45 PM ET.