A new face will step into the role for the third season of HBO’s hit TV show The Last of Us.
HBO’s The Last of Us is heading into its third season with a notable adjustment that has nothing to do with Cordyceps or shifting alliances. As development continues on the next chapter of the acclaimed drama, a casting change has surfaced that’s already prompting discussion among viewers closely tracking the series’ evolution.
Danny Ramirez, who played Manny Alvarez in Season 2, will not reprise the role in Season 3, according to NPN. Manny, part of Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) trusted circle, brought moments of warmth and levity into an otherwise unforgiving world. Given the show’s trajectory toward events inspired by “The Last of Us Part II,” the character was widely expected to gain more narrative ground. Instead, HBO will move forward by recasting the role, making it one of the earliest significant behind-the-scenes developments tied to the upcoming season.
The change is not believed to stem from story revisions or creative concerns. Rather, it appears to be a matter of logistics. Ramirez’s career has expanded rapidly, fueled in large part by his role as Joaquin Torres, now Falcon, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He is set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and is also expected to be involved in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), following his prominent turn in Julius Onah’s Captain America: Brave New World (2025). With Marvel productions often requiring extended shooting schedules and long-term commitments, coordinating those demands with The Last of Us reportedly became impractical.
What elevates the impact of this decision is Manny’s increasing importance within the story. While he doesn’t occupy the same narrative space as Joel—played by Pedro Pascal—or Ellie (Bella Ramsey), Manny serves as a key figure within Abby’s group. Season 3 is expected to spend more time exploring that side of the story, making a recast less of a cosmetic change and more of a necessity to keep production moving smoothly.
HBO has not yet revealed who will step into the role. Casting is said to be underway, though no official announcements have been made. With filming projected to extend into 2026 and the premiere likely still some distance away, the network has room to take its time before introducing the new Manny to audiences.
This development also arrives during a period of transition behind the camera. Neil Druckmann, who co-created the series and helped shepherd the television adaptation of the original games, is scaling back his involvement for Season 3. He will remain on board as an executive producer, while Craig Mazin assumes greater responsibility for the show’s creative direction. For longtime fans, the combination of a recast and a shift in leadership signals a new chapter for the series.
At this stage, there’s no indication that the changes point to instability. Expansive productions often face scheduling hurdles, particularly when cast members are balancing multiple franchise commitments. Still, The Last of Us has built its reputation on emotional consistency and carefully drawn characters, ensuring that any visible change will be closely examined.
Manny will remain part of the story, even if audiences see a different actor in the role. Season 3 is pressing ahead, plans appear firmly in place, and the series continues toward its next phase. As ever, The Last of Us promises a journey that may be unpredictable, but never quiet.
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