The Last of Us Will Reportedly Recast Major Character For Season 3

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For the third season of HBO’s The Last of Us, a key actor will be replaced, and the reason is logical given the story’s direction. The show, which is adapting The Last of Us Part II, will focus on Abby’s story, meaning the characters close to her – Manny, Owen, Mel, and Nora – will also play important roles. The ending of Season 2 strongly hints at this shift, moving the narrative back in time to what’s known as “Seattle Day One.” This will explore Abby’s relationships with her friends before the events that led to their deaths, and delve into the conflict between the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the Seraphites (also known as Scars) – the group encountered in Season 2, Episode 3.

After Pedro Pascal stepped down from his role as Joel Miller in Season 2 of The Last of Us, another actor from the Marvel universe is reportedly leaving the show. According to Nexus Point News, Danny Ramirez will not return as Manny in Season 3. HBO has since confirmed this, explaining that Ramirez’s departure is due to conflicts with his filming schedule.

Although it’s already known that Carlos Ramirez will play Joaquin Torres (the new Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) in Avengers: Doomsday, a recent report indicates he may also return for Avengers: Secret Wars.

Filming for The Last of Us Season 3 is currently slated to begin in early 2026, potentially clashing with the planned April 2026 start date for production on Secret Wars.

In The Last of Us, actor Ramirez portrays Manny Alvarez. Manny is a close friend of Abby and a dedicated member of several groups, including the Salt Lake Crew, the Fireflies, and eventually the WLF. He’s a lieutenant within the WLF and highly regarded by Isaac as one of their most skilled and effective soldiers, thanks to his experience and combat abilities.

While Ramirez’s departure is surprising but makes sense, HBO confirming the news suggests they’re already looking for someone new to play Manny in Season 3.

Kaitlyn Dever will be the new lead in Season 3 of The Last of Us, with the story now centering on the character Abby instead of Ellie, who was previously played by Bella Ramsey. The season will also star Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Rutina Wesley, Catherine O’Hara, Spencer Lord, Tati Gabrielle, and Ariela Barer. Fans can expect the new season to arrive on HBO Max around 2027.

Why HBO’s Recasting of Manny Completely Changes Everything 

Danny Ramirez skillfully portrayed the complex character of Manny in Season 2 of The Last of Us, making his potential replacement a disappointing prospect for dedicated viewers of the HBO series.

Though Manny played a smaller part in the second season, his story will be a major focus in the upcoming third season. It would have been fantastic to see actor Ramirez further showcase his skills as the WLF character.

Recasting Manny after Danny Ramirez would likely create inconsistencies in the story and affect the established rapport between the actors, potentially disappointing fans. However, it could also be a chance for The Last of Us to introduce a new actor and refresh the show’s overall feel.

Manny will be much more prominent in Season 3, and what happens to him significantly affects Abby’s story. We won’t reveal any major plot points, but the season will show more of Manny’s experiences as a WLF soldier, including his missions with Abby. Their close relationship is also key to Abby being able to escape the WLF headquarters, which eventually leads her to meet Lev and Yara, two Seraphite defectors.

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2026-01-25 20:35