Production for the highly anticipated third season of HBO's The Last of Us is officially underway in British Columbia, Canada. This comes nearly a year after the conclusion of the second season's finale episode.

First Look at Abby and Lev on Set

Confirmation of Key Characters

Recently shared set photographs offer fans their first glimpse of the upcoming season. These images confirm the return of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, who will be central to the Season 3 narrative.

The photos also reveal the first on-set appearance of the new character Lev, portrayed by actor Kyriana Kratter. The images were captured while Dever and Kratter were filming scenes in BC.

Costumes and Character Accuracy

In the shared pictures, Dever's Abby is seen wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of a blue jacket, brown pants, and a backpack. Kratter’s Lev is visible following closely behind her, equipped with a back quiver holding several arrows.

The set photos suggest a commitment to the source material, as Kratter's Lev sports a shaved head, mirroring the character's appearance in the video games. One photo shows Abby pausing to look at a black beanie, while another depicts her carefully climbing down a fixed ladder.

Context for Season 3's Focus

Shifting Narrative Center

Following seasons one and two, which primarily focused on Joel and Ellie Miller, Season 3 is expected to pivot its focus heavily onto Abby's storyline.

Abby was introduced in Season 2 as the primary antagonist, driven by a need for revenge after Joel killed her father while saving Ellie. The second season culminated in the violent confrontation between Abby and Joel, witnessed by Ellie.

Lev's Role in the Story

In The Last of Us video games, Lev and his sister Yara are members of the Seraphites group. Lev eventually crosses paths with Abby, becoming a significant figure in the Washington Liberation Front soldier's arc.

Bridgerton's Michelle Mao is slated to portray Yara. The casting of Kratter as Lev, a trans boy voiced by trans actor Ian Alexander in the games, has generated some prior discussion, as Kratter is a cisgender girl.

Production Details and Future Outlook

Kratter's Previous Work

Prior to securing the role of Lev, Kyriana Kratter was recognized for her performance as KB in the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Her resume also includes appearances on Disney Channel's Bunk'd and the CBS sitcom United States of Al.

Filming Status and Premiere Expectations

Filming for the third installment officially commenced in early March. Consequently, an official premiere date has not yet been announced.

However, HBO's Casey Bloys has previously indicated that fans should anticipate the third season to debut sometime in the year 2027.

Returning Ensemble Cast

Kaitlyn Dever and Kyriana Kratter join a returning ensemble cast that includes Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, Jeffrey Wright, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Clea DuVall, Patrick Wilson, and Jason Ritter.