More “The Last of Us” S3 Cast Changes

Following yesterday’s news that Patrick Wilson has joined the cast, it has been revealed that Jason Ritter has also hopped onboard the third and likely final season of HBO’s TV series adaptation of “The Last of Us”.

Deadline reports that “Matlock” star Ritter, who had an uncredited role as a Clicker in two episodes of the first season, will play an original character named Hanley – a soldier for the Washington Liberation Front (WLF).

Ritter’s wife Melanie Lynskey had a major guest starring role in two episodes of the first season. In addition, the trade confirms speculation yesterday that Wilson will indeed be playing the father of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). Both are in recurring roles and so will likely only pop up in one or two episodes.

Meanwhile Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord have all been promoted o series regulars for the third season. The trio, who were recurring in the second season, played Abby’s cohorts Mel, Nora and Own repectively.

They join already announced inclusions like Jorge Lendeborg Jr. who takes over the role of Manny from Danny Ramirez. Jeffrey Wright will also be back as WLF leader Isaac Dixon, while Clea DuVall will play a member of the Seraphites.

As the focus of the story shifts to Abby for much of the season, and jumps back in time by three days, it’s not clear how many of the episodes that previous regular cast members like Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Isabel Merced will appear in.

Craig Mazin serves as sole showrunner in the third season following the departure of game creator and co-showrunner Neil Druckmann. The new run, which begins filming shortly, adapts the back half of “The Last of Us Part II” game.