HBO confirms actor change for Manny in The Last of Us.

The preparation for the third season of The Last of Us has started at HBO with a technical change in the cast. The character Manny, introduced in the second season of the series, will undergo a "recast" process. Danny Ramirez, who played the loyal soldier and right-hand man of Abby, will not return to the role due to scheduling conflicts. According to Variety, the actor's departure comes at a time of career growth in the film industry, where he has commitments with the Marvel Cinematic Universe in productions like Captain America: Brave New World and Avengers: Doomsday, as well as the biopic Samo Lives.

The need to recast a central character in a revenge plot is a point of severe criticism for the continuity of the work. The change of actors in the midst of the development of delicate emotional arcs can break the audience's immersion and the visual cohesion established in the second season. It is regrettable that the scheduling planning at HBO did not ensure the permanence of key names for the dynamic between Manny and Abby played by Kaitlyn Dever. This instability in the cast raises doubts about maintaining the technical quality standard of performances in a series that heavily relies on the expressiveness of its actors.

On the other hand, the prospects for the conclusion of the saga are positive under the leadership of Craig Mazin. Casey Bloys, president of HBO and Max, confirmed that the third season is planned to premiere in 2027. "The series is definitely planned for 2027. Craig Mazin is still deciding whether it will be two more seasons or a longer season. That has not been decided yet, and I am following his lead on that decision," stated Bloys in July. The additional production time may ensure the necessary polish to adapt the complex events from the Naughty Dog game.