John Goodman, known for his extensive career in film and television including "The Conners," steps into the role of Joey. Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey, celebrated voice actors from "The Last of Us Part II" video game, will play Paco and Elizabeth, respectively. Alexander previously lent his voice to Lev in the game, a role now embodied by Kyriana Kratter in the live-action series, while Bailey voiced the pivotal character Abby, now played by Kaitlyn Dever. In the HBO adaptation, Alexander's Paco teams up with Goodman's Joey as a duo calling themselves the "Heroes of the Highway," while Bailey's Elizabeth is set to be a leader within the religious sect known as the Seraphites.

This casting strategy isn't new for "The Last of Us." The series has a history of integrating voice actors from the Naughty Dog video games into its live-action world, often in new roles. Merle Dandridge and Jeffrey Wright famously reprised their game roles as Marlene and Isaac Dixon, respectively. Similarly, Ashley Johnson, the original voice of Ellie in the games, appeared as Ellie's mother in the Season 1 finale, further blurring the lines between the game and TV universes.

With Season 3 expected to largely adapt the events of "The Last of Us Part II," the inclusion of a Seraphite leader like Elizabeth is particularly significant. The Seraphites play a crucial role in Abby Anderson's storyline, which is anticipated to be a central focus of the upcoming season. While Pedro Pascal's Joel met his demise in the Season 2 finale, speculation remains about potential flashback appearances. The narrative, co-created by Craig Mazin and game director Neil Druckmann, continues to explore a world ravaged 20 years after modern civilization's collapse.

Other notable cast members joining for Season 3 include Li Jun Li as Miriam, also a Seraphite, and Peter Sarsgaard as Amon, another Seraphite leader, a character confirmed to be original to the series. Jason Ritter joins as WLF soldier Hanley, Patrick Wilson as Jerry (Abby's father), and Michelle Mao, Clea DuVall, and Jorge Lendeborg as Manny, with Lendeborg taking over from Danny Ramirez due to scheduling conflicts.

Looking ahead, Season 3 may mark the conclusion of the acclaimed series. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, indicated to Deadline that while it's not officially confirmed, he believes showrunner Craig Mazin "has planned it as the final season." Mazin, who previously served as co-showrunner with Druckmann, will take the reins as the sole showrunner for the third season, which is scheduled to premiere in 2027.