The Last of Us Season 3 Adds John Goodman and Two Game VAs

Season 3 of The Last of Us TV show casts John Goodman, Laura Bailey, and Ian Alexander, but the two game veterans won't reprise their original roles.

Did you see that coming? The Last of Us Season 3 just added three new cast members, and two of them are familiar faces from the games—but not in the way you might expect.

HBO's adaptation is bringing in John Goodman, Laura Bailey, and Ian Alexander for the upcoming season. Goodman is the big-name newcomer to the franchise, while Bailey and Alexander both previously appeared in The Last of Us Part II video game. However, here's the twist: neither Bailey nor Alexander will be playing the same characters they voiced in the game.

For those who don't remember, Laura Bailey voiced Abby in The Last of Us Part II—a role that sparked plenty of online debate. Ian Alexander played Lev, a character who became central to Abby's story. Now, they're returning to the world of The Last of Us, but in completely different roles for the TV series. That means fans shouldn't expect to see them reprise Abby and Lev on screen.

So what does this mean for Season 3? Well, the show has already covered the events of the first game in Season 1, and Season 2 is set to adapt part of The Last of Us Part II. Season 3 will likely continue that storyline, but details about which characters Goodman, Bailey, and Alexander will play are still under wraps. The casting news alone has fans buzzing, especially since Bailey and Alexander's involvement adds a fun layer of meta-casting.

John Goodman is a legendary actor known for everything from Roseanne to The Big Lebowski, and his addition to the cast signals that the show is aiming for serious star power. As for Bailey and Alexander, they're both accomplished performers—Bailey has voiced countless iconic characters in animation and games, while Alexander is known for their work in both acting and advocacy. Bringing them back in new roles feels like a nod to the games without directly repeating them.

Of course, this isn't the first time the show has swapped roles for game actors. The series has already featured several voice actors from the games in different parts, so this move fits the pattern. It also keeps things fresh for viewers who might assume they know exactly what's coming based on the games.

We still don't know exactly when Season 3 will premiere or how closely it will follow the game's narrative, but with casting news like this, anticipation is already building. Whether you're a longtime fan of the games or just got hooked on the show, there's plenty to look forward to.

What do you think of these cast additions? Are you excited to see John Goodman in The Last of Us universe? Let us know in the comments!