New cast members join the post-apocalyptic drama
HBO has verified that John Goodman, Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander are joining the third season of The Last of Us. Goodman appears as Joey, a member of the pair that refers to itself as the Heroes of the Highway, while Alexander takes on Paco, the duo's other member. Bailey plays Elizabeth, a leader within the Seraphites religious group. The show, adapted from a Sony PlayStation game franchise set in a postapocalyptic version of America, is run by showrunner and executive producer Craig Mazin and is anticipated to come back to HBO next year, possibly for its last season.[S1]
Video game performers cross into live action
In the past, Alexander portrayed Lev in the video game The Last of Us: Part II and took the role of Buck Vu on the TV show The OA. Bailey's prior work includes playing Abby in The Last of Us: Part II, plus voice acting on The Legend of Vox Machina and as Mary Jane Watson in the 2023 Spider-Man 2 game. By hiring these two, the live-action series brings in performers who already know the game franchise well.[S1]
Returning cast and production details
Season 3's newly revealed cast additions include Clea Duvall, Patrick Wilson, Jason Ritter, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Michelle Mao and Kyriana Kratter. Among those coming back are Kaitlyn Dever, Bella Ramsey, Isabella Merced, Gabriel Luna and Jeffrey Wright. Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle and Spencer Lord have been upped to series regulars. Mazin cocreated the show with game creator Neil Druckmann, who was already said to be leaving before Season 3; Mazin becomes the sole showrunner while also writing and executive producing. HBO and Sony Pictures Television coproduce, with executive producers Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O'Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan and Evan Wells. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint and Naughty Dog are the production companies.[S1]
Goodman's upcoming film role
In the eagerly awaited film Digger, which stars Tom Cruise and arrives in theaters Oct. 2, Goodman takes the part of President Compson. Goodman's representation is Gersh, Alexander's is Curate, and Bailey's is CAA.[S1]
