New set photos from The Last of Us season 3 show first look at Abby and Lev

Production on the third season of HBO’s hit series The Last of Us is in full swing, with newly released set photos offering a first look at the characters Abby and Lev, played by Kaitlyn Dever and Kyriana Kratter respectively. The images come from Vancouver, where the team has recreated a ruined version of Seattle to authentically capture the show’s setting.

Production and season 3 focus

HBO has confirmed that season 3 will be heavily based on The Last of Us Part II. The focus will be almost entirely on the stories of Abby and Lev. This decision follows the mixed reaction to the previous season, especially Ellie’s storyline. The set photos have sparked a range of responses, particularly around Kratter’s casting as Lev, who in the games is portrayed as a trans boy. That choice has led to controversy within the fanbase. The likelihood of the casting changing at this point is slim, as decisions like these are usually finalized long before they are announced publicly.

Casting and reactions

Kyriana Kratter’s take on Lev, alongside Dever as Abby, has drawn mixed reactions. For game fans, it remains a sensitive topic, especially since Dever’s physical appearance does not match Abby’s more muscular look in the game. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have previously said they want to take a different approach to the character, downplaying the importance of body strength in the TV adaptation.

Set details and authenticity

Filming in Vancouver has allowed the production to create an authentic post-apocalyptic Seattle atmosphere. The set photos show Abby and Lev moving through the broken city, highlighting a key element of many storylines in the game. Lev’s outfit has also been carefully recreated, adding to the visual faithfulness to the source material.

The future of the series

There is speculation that The Last of Us season 3 could end up being the show’s final season. That would give HBO the chance to wrap up Abby and Lev’s story in a focused and impactful way within a single season. Many fans hope that concentrating on the main story beats will strengthen the overall result, leading to success similar to the series’ earlier episodes.

With these new developments, The Last of Us fans remain engaged with the direction of this live-action adaptation. The combination of an authentic setting and complex characters continues to keep expectations high for season 3.