Season 3 of The Last of Us will largely center on Abby, as confirmed by the show’s co-creator—raising concerns about how much screen time Ellie and Dina will get. In Season 2, Ellie and Dina took over as the primary focus after Joel’s death and Pedro Pascal’s departure, and their relationship became one of the few emotional anchors in an increasingly grim storyline. Season 2 ended by hinting that the series would revisit earlier events in Seattle, this time through Abby’s eyes—a shift that unsettled some viewers.

Given Abby’s brutal killing of Joel, it’s understandable that many fans—both casual viewers and game players—may not warm to her easily. The decision to explore her perspective is bound to stir debate, which makes Ellie and Dina’s continued presence all the more important. Following the season’s cliffhanger and the abrupt narrative shift, fans are eager for answers. While it may take some time, a press conference in May indicated that audiences can expect those answers in due course.

Why The Last Of Us Season 3 Is Focusing On Abby

Audiences Are Going To See The Last Few Days From Abby’s Perspective

HBO’s The Last of Us is staying true to the structure of the video games. While Season 1 closely followed the original 2013 game, The Last of Us Part II is being adapted across Seasons 2, 3, and 4 to break the story into more manageable arcs. Season 2 primarily focused on Ellie’s journey, and Season 3 will now shift to Abby’s side of the narrative—unfolding what she experienced while Ellie was making her way through Seattle. The Season 2 finale teased this shift by starting Abby’s story from “Day One,” paralleling what had already been shown from Ellie’s perspective.

Season 2 also introduced a number of new characters tied to Abby’s storyline. Though we saw them briefly through Ellie’s eyes, Season 3 will allow for deeper exploration of these characters, encouraging viewers to empathize with them despite already knowing their outcomes. Additionally, while Season 2 touched on the brewing conflict between the W.L.F. and the Seraphites, Season 3 is expected to dive further into that war—particularly focusing on Isaac and the brutal cycle of violence that culminated in the island battle shown briefly in the Season 2 finale.

Ellie & Dina Are Expected To Appear In The Last Of Us Season 3 – But Not Much

Season 2’s Main Characters Will Have Reduced Roles

Ellie and Dina took center stage in The Last of Us Season 2, with Dina especially earning a strong fan following. It’s important for viewers to understand that their journeys aren’t finished. While Kaitlyn Dever (Abby) will take the lead in Season 3, both Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced are officially returning, as reported by Variety. Though their screen time will be reduced as the story shifts focus, Ellie and Dina remain key figures in the larger storyline, and Season 3 is expected to eventually return to the dramatic cliffhanger that closed out Season 2.

Ellie & Dina Should Have Much Bigger Roles In The Last Of Us Season 4

Season 4 Will Circle Back Around

The Last of Us seasons 2 and 3 are showing opposite perspectives on Ellie and Abby’s conflict in Seattle, setting up season 4 for a convergence. The final chapters of The Last of Us Part II are “The Farm” and “Santa Barbara,” which will likely be the primary stories for the TV adaptation’s final season. These aren’t the longest chapters in the game, but they offer pivotal moments for Ellie, Dina, and Abby, all of whom will have a role to play in the final events of HBO’s The Last of Us.