Move over, fungal zombies—the Seraphites are getting a formidable new matriarch. Li Jun Li, fresh off her scene-stealing turn in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, is officially heading to HBO’s “The Last of Us” for Season 3.
Li stepped into the role of Miriam, a high-ranking member of the religious Seraphite cult and the mother of siblings Lev (Kyriana Kratter) and Yara (Michelle Mao). For those who haven’t played the games: let’s say family dinner at their house is a little more “ritualistic sacrifice” and a little less “pass the mashed potatoes.”
A Packed Post-Apocalyptic Call Sheet
Li isn’t the only one trying to survive the Cordyceps apocalypse. She joins a sprawling Season 3 ensemble that feels more like a red-carpet gala than a wasteland. Jason Ritter and Patrick Wilson have joined the fight. Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord have all been bumped up to series regulars. New faces include Clea DuVall and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (who is taking over the role of Manny). Survivors Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Isabella Merced (Dina), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac) are back to fight another day.
Busy Times for Li Jun Li
Li is currently having a “moment” that most actors would sell their souls for. Aside from her acclaim in the record-breaking Sinners, she’s trading fungal spores for spider webs. You can catch her next in Spider-Noir, starring alongside the king of cinematic chaos, Nicolas Cage. That series swings onto Prime Video on May 27.
Changing of the Guard
While the cast is expanding, the behind-the-scenes crew is slimming down. Following Neil Druckmann’s exit after Season 2, Craig Mazin is now flying solo as the primary showrunner.
The stakes for Season 3 are sky-high. As Ellie’s revenge tour through Seattle reaches a fever pitch, Li’s Miriam will likely be a major thorn in the side of anyone—human or infected—standing in her way.
The exact premiere date has yet to be announced, but we do know the series won’t return until sometime in 2027.
