When it comes to HBO’s The Last of Us , fans have already learned one thing for sure — the show isn’t afraid to take risks. And if you thought the second season shook things up by diving into Abby’s story, get ready: Season 3 is shaping up to be entirely about her.

Yes, you read that right. In a recent interview with Variety , veteran actress Catherine O’Hara hinted that Season 3 won’t feature a return of her character, Dr. Maria Rosen — Joel’s therapist and a key figure in Jackson. When asked if she’d reprise her role, O’Hara said bluntly:

“Craig [Mazin] said definitely not in the next season. It’s Abby’s story. Maybe. But I think it should’ve served Joel and Ellie’s story more.”

So what does this mean? It means we’re heading full-force into Abby’s world.

For those who played The Last of Us Part II , this isn’t a surprise. The game gave us two perspectives — Ellie’s and Abby’s — creating one of the most polarizing narratives in gaming history. Now, the TV series seems to be following suit, giving Abby her own arc in Season 3.

Played by Kaitlyn Dever, Abby first appeared at the start of Season 2 as a WLF soldier fueled by vengeance over her father’s death. Her introduction was met with backlash from some fans — a reaction so intense that Dever had to hire extra security on set. Sound familiar? That’s just how passionate people are about these characters.

Interestingly, Abby disappeared from screen after the early episodes of Season 2, which mostly followed Ellie and Dina’s journey in Seattle. The only exception was Episode 6 — a beautifully emotional flashback-heavy episode exploring Joel and Ellie’s relationship over five years in Jackson. That episode was heavily promoted as being on par with the beloved Bill and Frank storyline from Season 1.

But while some fans might feel uneasy about shifting focus away from Ellie, the showrunners seem confident. After all, The Last of Us has always been about moral complexity, gray areas, and the human cost of survival. And splitting the narrative between two characters could be the perfect way to explore those themes even deeper.

Plus, there’s still hope that both stories will eventually collide — just like in the game.

And don’t worry, Season 3 isn’t the end of the road. While it hasn’t officially been confirmed, co-creator Craig Mazin has already suggested that wrapping everything up in three seasons just isn’t possible. There’s still the growing conflict between the WLF and the Scars, plus the mysterious Rat King lurking in an abandoned hospital — all teased as part of the future.

Currently, Season 2 is airing weekly on HBO and Max, with Ukrainian dubbing available on Megogo. The final episode drops this Sunday — so mark your calendars!