Actor John Goodman and video game stars Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander will be added to the Season 3 cast of HBO drama “The Last of Us.”
Goodman plays Joey, one half of the self-nicknamed “Heroes of the Highway” duo from the series based on a Sony PlayStation video game series that follows characters in postapocalyptic America. “The Last of Us,” led by showrunner and executive producer Craig Mazin, is expected to return to HBO next year for what may be its final season.
Alexander steps into the role of Paco, the other half of the duo. Alexander previously played Lev in “The Last of Us: Part II” video game. The actor also appeared in “The OA” television series as Buck Vu.
Bailey portrays Elizabeth, one of the leaders of the Seraphites religious sect. Bailey played Abby in “The Last of Us: Part II” video game. She has also lent her voice to “The Legend of Vox Machina” series and the 2023 “Spider-Man 2” video game as Mary Jane Watson.
Previously announced new cast members for Season 3 are Clea Duvall, Patrick Wilson, Jason Ritter, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Michelle Mao and Kyriana Kratter.
Returning cast for the season includes Kaitlyn Dever, Bella Ramsey, Isabella Merced, Gabriel Luna and Jeffrey Wright. Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle and Spencer Lord have been promoted to series regular for Season 3.
Goodman plays President Compson in the highly anticipated movie “Digger,” starring Tom Cruise, which opens Oct. 2.
Goodman is represented by Gersh. Alexander is represented by Curate. Bailey is represented by CAA.
“The Last of Us,” based on the hit video game franchise of the same name, takes place in a world hit by a widespread infection that has turned most of the population into zombielike creatures.
The series was cocreated by Mazin and game creator Neil Druckmann. It was previously announced that Druckmann was exiting the show ahead of Season 3, and Mazin will be sole showrunner for the season in addition to writing and executive producing. The series is co-produced by HBO and Sony Pictures Television and executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan and Evan Wells. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint and Naughty Dog produce.
(Pictured: Laura Bailey, John Goodman, Ian Alexander)