The third season of The Last of Us will incorporate new faces and rethink the narrative approach of the successful HBO series.The production, based on the popular video game developed by Naughty Dog, has confirmed that one of its main characters, Manny, will be played by a new actor after the departure of Danny Ramirez.
The change in the cast responds to unavoidable professional commitments on the part of Ramirez, who left the series due to scheduling problems.
According to information published by Deadline this week, it will be JorgeLendeborg Jr. who will take on the role of Manny in the upcoming episodes.The Dominican actor comes to the ambitious survival saga with credits in the Spider-Man franchise and in films such as Love, Simon and Bumblebee.
The character of Manny first appeared in the second season of The Last of Us as a prominent member of the group Washington Liberation Front (WLF). His loyal relationship with Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, led him to be a key figure in the search for revenge after the death of Abby’s father at the hands of Joel, Pedro Pascal’s character.
It is important to note that the new installment, which is in the filming phase, will modify the central perspective of the story.While the previous two seasons focused on Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and her journey through a world devastated by a fungal infection, now the narrative will shift to Abby.This narrative decision, commented on by Variety, will lead to Manny assuming greater relevance in the events that will mark the destiny of the protagonists.
On the other hand, Danny Ramirez’s departure from television production coincided with the announcement of several film projects on his agenda.In addition to his participation in Captain America: Brave New World and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, the actor was announced as a co-star alongside Pedro Pascal in the film By Night, directed by Todd Haynes.This film, set in Los Angeles in the 1930s, tells of a romantic relationship in a context of corruption and political persecution, as Haynes explained to the press.
Ramirez will also work on the tragicomedy The Juice and a Scarface remake project.
In this way, the baton passes into the hands of Lendeborg Jr., who must take forward a character described as “a loyal soldier whose optimistic attitude hides deep scars and the fear of failing those he loves most.”
Along with Lendeborg Jr., the third season will welcome actress CleaDuVall, who will play a member of the group known as the Seraphites. This group, introduced in the second season, is characterized by its religious fervor and violent methods, in constant conflict with the WLF, led by Isaac (Jeffrey Wright).DuVall’s career includes roles in series such as Carnivàle, Better Call Saul and The Handmaid’s Tale.
On the other hand, the return of figures already familiar to fans had already been confirmed, such as Isabela Merced (Dina), Gabriel Luna (Tommy) and Wright himself (Isaac).
Showrunner Craig Mazin, who co-created the series with Neil Druckmann, now assumes creative leadership alone following Druckmann’s departure from management positions to focus on new projects.
Likewise, the question remains open as to whether the third will be the last season of the series.HBO president Casey Bloys told Deadline: “It looks like it will, but in decisions like that, we defer to the discretion of the showrunners. So you can ask them.”
