Druckmann Exits Creative Role on The Last of Us

Neil Druckmann, co-creator of The Last of Us video games and HBO series, is stepping away from his creative role on the show ahead of its third season to focus on new projects at Naughty Dog, including Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann will remain an executive producer but will not contribute creatively to Season 3, leaving Craig Mazin as the sole showrunner. His departure follows a second season that received mixed reviews and experienced a decline in ratings. The series has reached over 90 million viewers globally and continues to be a major success for HBO. Season 3 is expected to further explore Abby's perspective, and the show is anticipated to run for at least two more seasons. Druckmann called his time adapting the franchise a career highlight and expressed confidence in the show's future.