The Last Of Us Season 3’s Manny Recast Is Disappointing – What It Means For The Show

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There will be another casting change for season 3 of The Last of Us. Danny Ramirez, who played Manny Alvarez in season 2—a former Firefly and later a WLF ally of Abby Anderson—will not be returning to the role. The character will be recast for the show’s next installment.

The character of Manny will be played by a new actor in season 3 of The Last of Us, meaning Alexander Ramirez will no longer be with the show. This change is due to scheduling issues, as filming for the next season is expected to start next spring. Although it hasn’t been officially stated, these conflicts are likely related to Ramirez’s work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I just heard that the actor is confirmed to return as the Falcon in the next Avengers film, Doomsday, and there’s a strong possibility he’ll also be in Secret Avengers. This creates a bit of a scheduling headache, though, as it could potentially clash with filming for season 3 of The Last of Us. Speaking of which, HBO still hasn’t revealed who will be playing Manny in the new season, but honestly, it’s a real loss that Ramirez had to leave, especially knowing the arc they had planned for the character. It’s a shame to see a promising storyline cut short.

Manny’s Recasting Is Disappointing Based On His Expanded Role In The Last Of Us Season 3

Manny was with Abby when she first began searching for Joel in season 2 of The Last of Us. He was there when Abby killed Joel, seeking revenge for her father. After Joel’s death, Abby and the rest of her group, the Washington Liberation Front, went back to Seattle. This act of revenge sparked a journey for Ellie, who was determined to find and kill Abby. Ellie also made it known that she wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone else involved in Joel’s death.

Although Manny appeared in only four episodes of The Last of Us season 1, his role was predicted to grow in future seasons as the show began to focus on Abby’s story. Similar to The Last of Us Part II game, season 2 will explore Abby and her group’s experiences in Seattle after Joel’s death, mirroring the timeline of Ellie and Dina’s journey. Because Manny is a loyal friend to Abby and a skilled soldier within the WLF, he was expected to play a larger part in the upcoming season.

Manny may still appear in season 3 of The Last of Us, but it’s a shame the actor who played him won’t be returning. The show will probably explore the relationship between Manny and Abby, especially how far Manny is willing to go for her, considering his commitment to the WLF. There’s also a dramatic scene involving Manny and Tommy that could be important to the new season.

The Recasting Continues A Concerning Trend For The Last Of Us Season 3

Even with a new actor, Manny could still be a memorable part of The Last of Us season 3. However, because seasons 2 and 3 share a similar timeline, the recasting feels especially problematic. We’ve already been introduced to the character as played by Ramirez in Seattle, so the show will need to handle the change very smoothly. This recast, for a character with a larger role ahead, adds to existing worries about the production of season 3.

Plans to focus season 3 of The Last of Us on the character Abby have sparked debate among fans. While this aligns with the story from the original game, it’s a bold move considering the first two seasons centered on Joel and Ellie. Adding to the uncertainty, both co-creator Neil Druckmann and key writer/executive producer Halley Gross are no longer involved with the show as of season 3.

Both creators of The Last of Us Part II are no longer involved with the show, which has understandably concerned fans who want a good adaptation. However, showrunner Craig Mazin has time to ensure the new season is well-made, as it isn’t being hurried. Current estimates suggest The Last of Us season 3 won’t arrive until 2027 or later. Hopefully, we won’t see any more unexpected casting changes like the recent one with Manny.

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2026-01-01 16:30