The Last of Us Season 3 Adds Patrick Wilson and Jason Ritter

The genre veterans join the hit HBO series in pivotal roles as the story shifts to Abby's perspective.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 11:21pm

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Patrick Wilson is set to play Dr. Jerry Anderson, the surgeon killed by Joel in the Season 1 finale of The Last of Us, while Jason Ritter will portray Henley, a soldier in the WLF militia. The new castings come as the show prepares to shift its focus to Abby's side of the story in Season 3, which is expected to premiere on HBO in 2027 after filming begins this month in Vancouver.

Why it matters

The additions of Wilson and Ritter to the cast signal a major expansion of the show's narrative, moving past Joel's death and delving deeper into the motivations and backstories of key characters like Abby. This could help provide more context and nuance around the controversial events of Season 2, which saw Abby kill Joel, a move that divided some viewers but remained faithful to the source material.

The details

Wilson will play Dr. Jerry Anderson, Abby's father, whose death at the hands of Joel in the Season 1 finale set off a chain of events that will now be explored through flashbacks and Abby's perspective. Ritter, meanwhile, will portray Henley, a soldier in the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) militia. Both actors are genre veterans, with Wilson known for his roles in franchises like The Conjuring and Aquaman, and Ritter currently appearing in the Matlock revival on CBS.

  • Filming for The Last of Us Season 3 began in Vancouver earlier this month.
  • HBO is targeting a 2027 premiere for the new season.

The players

Patrick Wilson

An American actor known for his roles in franchises like The Conjuring, Insidious, and Aquaman, as well as his work in films like Watchmen and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Jason Ritter

An American actor currently starring in the gender-swapped Matlock revival on CBS, with previous credits in TV shows like Parenthood and Joan of Arcadia.

Kaitlyn Dever

The actress who portrays Abby, the central character whose actions in Season 2 sparked controversy but remained faithful to the source material.

Pedro Pascal

The lead actor of The Last of Us, playing the role of Joel, whose death at Abby's hands in Season 2 set the stage for the show's narrative shift.

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What’s next

Fans will have to wait until 2027 to see how the story unfolds in The Last of Us Season 3, as HBO aims to premiere the new season following the start of filming in Vancouver this month.

The takeaway

The Last of Us has proven to be a ratings and critical success for HBO, and the addition of veteran actors like Patrick Wilson and Jason Ritter to the cast for Season 3 suggests the network is committed to expanding the show's narrative and exploring the complex moral dilemmas at the heart of the story.