The Last Of Us casts Bridgerton and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew actors as Yara and Lev for season 3

The Last of Us TV series has found its Yara and Lev, as production continues for the third season of the dystopian series.

Deadline confirmed the news that Michelle Mao (Bridgerton) and Kyriana Kratter (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) will star as siblings Yara and Lev respectively.

The publication also reported that as in the game, Lev is a 13-year-old transgender boy – and HBO held an inclusive casting call for the character, with Kratter part of the "young performers of different backgrounds" who auditioned.

As per the second game, Yara and Lev are a major part of Abby Anderson's (Kaitlyn Dever) arc, acting as loyal allies who help Abby during later parts of the game.

Kratter is just 15 years old and has starred in Disney Channel's Bunk'd and Star Wars series Skeleton Crew, alongside Jude Law and Kerry Condon. Fans will have recently seen Mao in the latest outing of Bridgerton as Rosamund Li, though her other credits include A Big Bold Beautiful Journey and the Goosebumps TV series.

This casting news comes after it was reported that Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring) and Jason Ritter (Matlock) would be joining the cast as Jerry Anderson (Abby's father) and an original character, Washington Liberation Front soldier Hanley, respectively.

Alongside the new additions, three returning faces have been promoted to regular roles.

Mel (Ariela Barer), Nora (Tati Gabrielle) and Owen (Spencer Lord), who were introduced as part of season 2, will all be core characters of season 3, with the story set to focus more heavily on Abby than Ellie.

But Ellie (Bella Ramsey) isn’t going anywhere, with co-creator Craig Mazin confirming we haven't seen the last of the character, although she and Dina are set to feature in a reduced role.

When pressed on how much of Ellie we'll be seeing in season 3, Ramsey told Variety: “I sort of know, but I can’t tell you, I’m afraid."

The Last of Us season 2 is streaming on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership.

Add The Last of Us to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.