Neil Druckmann Departs HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’

Studio head of Naughty Dog and co-creator of The Last of Us, Neil Druckmann announced today, via the Naughty Dog Instagram page, that he will be taking a step back as co-showrunner of the television adaptation. 

The Last of Us will be left in the hands of Craig Mazin, known for the acclaimed Chernobyl, as Druckmann shifts his focus back to Naughty Dog, where he is currently directing his next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Naughty Dog’s first original IP since the first TLOU game in 2013.

Druckmann had a limited role in the show’s second season, compared to his full co-showrunner role during season 1, as Intergalactic had already entered full production by that time, but this statement announces a complete departure. 

The Last of Us season 2 marked a decline in viewership as well as a more divisive reaction, in contrast to the mostly positive response to season 1. The Last of Us Part II released to overwhelming critical acclaim, but a very mixed response from general audiences due to a loud and vocal, hateful minority.

The negative reactions surrounding the second season, however, seem to be more reasonable compared to the vitriolic pushback against the second game. Though criticism is to be expected, given that the second game is a lot harder to adapt, reviews being mixed for a flagship HBO show such as this is not a great sign. Whether Druckmann’s exit will be even more adverse for the show remains to be seen. 

In addition to Druckmann, Halley Gross, known for her work on Westworld and The Last of Us Part II, has announced she will also be stepping away from the show. The second game will likely be adapted through 3 seasons according to Mazin. It seems the writing team for the next 2 will have to do without either writer from the second game. 

Neil Druckmann had a hand in writing 5 episodes for the show and directing 2, while Halley Gross helped write the final two episodes of Season 2. Craig Mazin, the sole showrunner on season 3 as of right now, has a writing credit on every single episode and has also directed two episodes.

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