Neil Druckmann steps away from HBO’s The Last of Us after Season 2 to focus on Naughty Dog’s next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Neil Druckmann, the acclaimed co-creator and showrunner behind HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, has announced that he will be stepping away from the series’ creative development following the completion of Season 2.
In a statement shared via Naughty Dog‘s official Instagram, Druckmann explained that he has decided now is the right moment to redirect his full attention to his studio responsibilities—both as Studio Head and Head of Creative at Naughty Dog—and to focus on their next major title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which he will write and direct.
Although he will no longer be involved in day-to-day story development for Season 3, he will remain credited as an executive producer on the HBO adaptation.
Halley Gross, who collaborated with Druckmann on the script for The Last of Us Part II and served as executive producer and writer on the HBO series, also announced her departure from regular duties.
In her Instagram statement, Gross reflected fondly on the creative journey of adapting the games’ harrowing, human-centered stories, citing her gratitude for the “life-changing” experience of working alongside Druckmann, Craig Mazin, and the entire cast and crew.
She signaled that she is eager to pursue “rad” new projects, though she, too, will retain an executive-producer credit.
Craig Mazin, the other co-creator of the series and the driving force behind HBO’s Chernobyl, paid tribute to Druckmann as a “generous creative partner” and expressed excitement for Naughty Dog’s upcoming game.
Mazin affirmed his commitment to guiding Season 3 to fruition, praising both Druckmann and Gross for entrusting the adaptation of Part II’s story to the HBO team and thanking fans for their support.
Since its debut in January 2023, The Last of Us has been a landmark success for HBO, earning near-universal acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and visual fidelity to the games.
The first season garnered 24 Primetime Emmy nominations, placing it among the network’s most recognized dramas.
Season 2 premiered earlier in 2025, further cementing the series’ reputation for narrative depth and emotional impact, and in April HBO officially greenlit a third season.
Druckmann’s exit represents a pivotal shift at a critical juncture: with the foundation firmly established by its original creative architects, The Last of Us will enter its next chapter under Mazin’s stewardship.
As the television adaptation continues to explore themes of survival, loss, and resilience, Druckmann and Gross will return their full energies to advancing the future of the franchise in interactive form, most immediately through the eagerly anticipated Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
