Devotees of HBO's critically acclaimed series The Last of Us have been dealt another significant blow ahead of the show's third season, with news emerging that a key character will be played by a different actor.
Major Cast Change Announced
It has been reported that actor Danny Ramirez will not reprise his role as Manny in the upcoming season due to scheduling conflicts. The 33-year-old star, who recently confirmed his relationship with Jessica Alba, joined the post-apocalyptic drama in its second season. His character, a member of Abby's (Kaitlyn Dever) Fireflies group, was introduced in the pivotal episode featuring the death of Pedro Pascal's Joel.
When his casting was first announced in 2024, Manny was described as a loyal soldier whose cheerful exterior hid deeper pain and fears of failing his comrades. The recasting news, broken on December 30, 2025, follows closely on the heels of creator Neil Druckmann confirming he will step back from the series, leaving showrunner Craig Mazin to lead season three alone.
Fan Reaction and Speculation
The announcement ignited intense discussion on the show's Reddit forums, with many fans expressing concern for the series' stability. User Harry Wang voiced a common anxiety, stating he feared 'this whole TV show is falling apart', especially after Druckmann's exit.
Many supporters pointed to Ramirez's commitments to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he plays Falcon, as the likely cause of the scheduling clash. A significant point of contention was the decision not to film the second and third seasons back-to-back, given their narrative continuity. Fan @slick447 wrote, 'It’s truly baffling why you wouldn’t shoot both back to back,' a sentiment echoed by others who felt the season two finale resembled a mid-season break more than a conclusion.
Looking Ahead to Season Three
Despite the disappointment, some fans adopted a more optimistic view. They began speculating on potential replacements, with names like Anthony Ramos (Twisters) and Alejandro Edda (Narcos: Mexico), who voiced Manny in the original video game, being suggested.
One fan noted that while the recast was 'unfortunate', Manny remained the least explored member of Abby's crew, making the actor change slightly easier to accept. They added, 'There hasn’t really been anything to connect with as far as his character goes, so I’m not attached to Danny in the way that I am with Ariela, Kaitlyn or Spencer for example.'
Showrunner Craig Mazin had previously hinted at potential cast changes for the new season. In a statement to Deadline earlier this year, he assured viewers, 'We haven’t seen the last of Kaitlyn Dever, and we haven’t seen the last of Bella Ramsey, and we haven’t seen the last of Isabela Merced, and we haven’t seen the last of a lot of people who are currently dead in the story.'
As production on the highly anticipated third season moves forward, the series faces the dual challenge of managing significant behind-the-scenes changes while maintaining the narrative quality that has earned it a dedicated global fanbase.
