The Last of Us season 3 sparks controversy: a transgender character is played by a non-transgender actor.

According to exclusive information from Deadline, the casts for two key characters in The Last of Us season 3 have been officially confirmed. Specifically, Kyriana Kratter (15 years old) and Michelle Mao (who previously worked on Bridgerton) will play Yara and Lev, respectively – the familiar 'sisters' from Abby's story arc.

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In the original game, Lev is a character who is biologically female but identifies as male. However, HBO's casting of Kyriana Kratter – a transgender (cisgender) actress – for the role quickly sparked controversy. HBO reportedly held an open and inclusive casting call, inviting many young actors from different backgrounds to audition. Despite this, the role of Lev was ultimately given to Kratter.

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In the storyline, Yara and Lev are two important characters in Abby's narrative, especially Lev, who is not only a companion but also acts as a 'moral compass'. Season 3 is expected to focus heavily on this character. However, Kotaku has expressed dissatisfaction with the casting decision. They argue that casting a non-transgender actor in a transgender role is a long-standing controversial issue and reduces opportunities for transgender actors in the industry. The article also emphasizes that in the game version, Lev's character is heavily focused on gender identity, and the development team even invited Ian Alexander – a transgender actor – to provide voice acting and acting. Therefore, the television adaptation's decision is seen as a 'step backward' from the original source material.

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Furthermore, another factor causing concern among fans is that Neil Druckmann – the game's director – will not be involved in producing season 3. Meanwhile, showrunner Craig Mazin has previously been criticized for his different approach from the original source material, leading many to question the quality of the adaptation in the new season. Even before airing, The Last of Us season 3 has already become a major topic of debate, highlighting the increasing pressure on game-to-film adaptations.