The Last of Us season 3: Neil Druckmann is out!

Bad news for all "The Last of Us" fans: as Variety reports, Neil Druckmann, the creative mind behind the award-winning video game series and co-creator of the HBO series, has announced his withdrawal from the TV adaptation.

Druckmann explained his withdrawal by saying that he wanted to concentrate fully on his role as studio head and creative director at Naughty Dog in future. His primary focus is on the studio's next big game project: "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet".

"With work completed on season 2 and before any meaningful work starts on season 3, now is the right time for me to transition my complete focus to Naughty Dog and its future projects, including writing and directing our exciting next game, "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet", along with my responsibilities as Studio Head and Head of Creative."

At the same time, he emphasized that working on the series had been a highlight of his career and that he greatly appreciated working with co-showrunner Craig Mazin, the crew and the actors.

However, Druckmann will remain involved with the series, at least formally – he is still listed in the credits as executive producer. In addition to Druckmann, Halley Gross, co-author of the video game "The Last of Us Part II" and producer and writer of the HBO series, also announced her departure. Despite these prominent departures, the series will continue without delay. Showrunner Craig Mazin, who has already celebrated great success with the mini-series "Chernobyl", will continue to take the creative lead. In his statement, Mazin expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with Druckmann and Gross:

"It's been a creative dream to work with Neil and bring an adaptation of his brilliant work to life on HBO."

Mazin also assured the audience that every effort would be made to meet their high expectations. Filming for the third season is expected to begin in 2026. HBO has already officially renewed the series.

The best-known HBO series: How the US broadcaster has shaped modern television

The US broadcaster HBO has been one of the driving forces in the field of high-quality TV productions for decades. With the slogan "It's not TV. It's HBO", the channel has made a name for itself worldwide and produced series that set standards – both in terms of content and visuals. Many formats have written television history and revolutionized the medium of television. Below we take a look at the best-known and most influential HBO series.

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

No list about HBO series can do without "Game of Thrones". The fantasy series based on the novels by George R.R. Martin became a global phenomenon and is still one of the most talked-about series ever. It impressed with its epic storytelling, political intrigue, strong characters and spectacular effects. The series won numerous Emmy Awards and captivated millions of viewers worldwide. Even though the final eighth season was controversial, "Game of Thrones" remains a milestone in series history. Its success was so great that several spin-offs, including "House of the Dragon", have already been produced.

The Sopranos (1999-2007)

"The Sopranos" is considered one of the first series to usher in the "Golden Age of Television". The focus is on Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini, a mafia boss from New Jersey who tries to reconcile his criminal activities with his family life. The series impressed with its brilliant scripts, profound character development and psychological sophistication. The open ending in particular remains legendary to this day and is still a source of heated debate. "The Sopranos" won numerous awards, including 21 Emmy Awards, and influenced countless series that came after it.

The Wire (2002-2008)

Many critics consider "The Wire" to be the best series of all time. The series takes an unsparing, realistic look at the city of Baltimore and sheds light on various areas of society – from drug dealing and the police to the education system, politics and the media. "The Wire" stands out due to its complex narrative structure, its authenticity and its documentary style. It demands patience, but rewards it with a unique series experience. Although the ratings were rather modest during its broadcast, the series is now considered a cult classic.

Chernobyl (2019)

HBO achieved another major success with the mini-series "Chernobyl". The series depicts the events surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 and focuses on the human dramas as well as the political and scientific mistakes that led to the catastrophe. "Chernobyl" was acclaimed for its impressive production, powerful script and realistic portrayal of the events. The series won ten Emmy Awards, among others, and is considered one of the best miniseries of all time.

Succession (2018-2023)

"Succession" is a biting media satire that portrays the power play within a powerful family that controls a global media empire. The series impresses with its razor-sharp dialogue, multi-layered characters and black humor. The story of the ageing patriarch Logan Roy and his power-hungry children was celebrated by critics and won several Emmy Awards. The acting performances of Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Sarah Snook in particular received great acclaim.

True Detective (since 2014)

"True Detective" is an anthology series in which each season tells its own story with a different cast. The first season in particular, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, became a cult hit and set new standards in the crime genre. The series combines philosophical themes, dark crime stories and impressive landscape shots to create a unique mixture. The subsequent seasons, especially season 3 with Mahershala Ali, were also very well received by critics and audiences.

The Last of Us (since 2023)

Based on the video game of the same name by Naughty Dog, "The Last of Us" quickly became one of the biggest HBO hits of recent years. The series tells the story of Joel and Ellie as they struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal virus has turned most of humanity into aggressive mutants. The series has been praised for its emotional depth, strong characters and elaborate production. It is one of the most successful HBO series of all time and has already been renewed for further seasons.

Why HBO series are so successful

HBO's success lies above all in the uncompromising quality of its productions. The broadcaster relies on creative freedom, elaborate productions and bold themes. HBO series are often dark, complex and aimed at an adult audience that values profound stories. Added to this is the enormous influence of renowned directors, scriptwriters and actors that HBO repeatedly wins over.

HBO remains the epitome of high-quality television entertainment. Series such as "Game of Thrones", "The Sopranos", "The Wire" and "Chernobyl" have changed television forever and set the standard for quality. If you are looking for exciting, in-depth and visually impressive series, there is no way around HBO.