You have used all your credits for this month. Please add more credits to continue.

by

It appears that The Last of Us Season 3 has received approval, yet it encounters a challenge that’s become all too common in today’s TV landscape: things are moving at a snail’s pace.

In just seven episodes during Season 2, the series effectively concluded Joel’s journey, detailed Ellie’s three-day adventure in Seattle, delved into the aftermath of Season 1 for both Ellie and Joel, revealed Eugene’s ultimate destiny, and set up an unexpected twist for Abby leading into Season 3 with its thought-provoking, contentious finale.

Given that the game it’s based on takes around 20-40 hours to finish (with approximately 12 hours dedicated to Abby), and considering the TV show has compressed and extended certain elements to wrap up the story in under 7 hours, some viewers might perceive it as fast-paced. However, whether it truly feels rushed is a matter of personal opinion, but it’s understandable why fans might voice their criticisms.

However, that’s not the central concern. Initially, the show had nine episodes in its first season, followed by a second, abbreviated set of episodes after nearly two years. Now, following a significant cliffhanger, we find ourselves once more in a waiting game, and it seems that Season 3 might not air until 2027. So, the question arises: What on earth is going on with television programming?

The Last of Us is another TV show that’s taking too long

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the Season 2 finale drew in approximately 3.7 million viewers – a significant drop of around 55% compared to the jaw-dropping 8.2 million who tuned in for Season 1. However, HBO assures us that despite this dip, our favorite show still manages to garner a higher average viewership per episode compared to its debut season.

After Joel’s death, some viewers might have stopped tuning in, but it’s also plausible that they held off because they didn’t want to wait a long time for the series conclusion. In fact, they might even give up on the show entirely if they grow tired of its intermittent broadcast pattern.

It’s uncertain when Season 3 of HBO’s The Last of Us will air, as neither the network nor the showrunners have given a definitive release date. However, considering the production schedule for Season 2, it may not premiere until late 2026 at the earliest. In fact, a 2027 debut appears to be more plausible.

It’s clear there are significant aspects at play: each season demands extensive visual effects (VFX) and careful planning, as well as being contingent upon the busy schedules of its growing cast (Pedro Pascal is involved in Fantastic Four, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Avengers: Doomsday from now until 2027). During a previous conversation with THR, Mazin mentioned they had improved their workflow for the second season – yet it still took two years to produce seven episodes.

Other shows are facing similar delays: The Boys Season 5 isn’t due until 2026, House of the Dragon Season 3 might come out next year (but with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms possibly being postponed, it could potentially be moved), and it’s uncertain when Ben Stiller and team will finish Severance Season 3.

In nine years from now, it’s anticipated that the fifth and final season of Netflix’s popular series “Stranger Things” will begin streaming, following its initial debut in the first season.

I understand the magnitude of such projects, as House of the Dragon’s showrunner, Ryan Condal, has pointed out that each season is like producing several full-length movies. Yet, this grandeur doesn’t diminish potential challenges we might face.

Here are three remarkable TV series that stand out as some of the greatest ever produced: “Breaking Bad” from 2008 to 2013 with 5 seasons and 62 episodes, “Succession” since 2018 (ongoing) with 3 seasons and 25 episodes so far, and “The Sopranos” from 1999 to 2007, consisting of 6 seasons and 86 episodes.

Breaking BadJanuary 20, 2008 –September 29, 20135 seasons (62 episodes)
SuccessionJune 3, 2018 –May 28, 20234 seasons (39 episodes)
The SopranosJanuary 10, 1999 –June 10, 20076 seasons (86 episodes)

Filming for The Last of Us began in July 2021. Over nearly four years, a grand total of 17 episodes have been created, which is only a small portion compared to the amount that used to be produced by television networks and studios in the past.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel concerned if The Last of Us finale numbers are seeing a substantial drop compared to its initial season. Just like John Wells, former ER and West Wing producer, I believe that audiences develop emotional bonds with shows, and when they take a break from it for too long, it becomes easier to lose that connection and forget what initially captivated us about the series.

One reason shows lose their audience over time instead of gaining more is because there are no new episodes for extended periods. This includes shows that start off strong during their initial season.

There’s still a chance things will turn around. HBO Max’s The Pitt is planning to produce at least 15 episodes per year for each season. Interestingly enough, The Pitt has been likened to ER (even in a lawsuit, but let’s save that discussion for later) – it might lead to a revival of fast-paced television programming, or it could continue as an exception to the current trend.

In the meantime, find out what else is coming out this year with our 2025 TV show calendar.

Read More

2025-05-27 17:51