Final season, release date set for La Brea season 3: Everything we know so far

Updated Nov. 22, 2023 – Who here is a fan of the NBC series La Brea? Raise your hands high! The action-packed, time-traveling story certainly captures audiences’ attention. And I sure am really looking forward to season 3! The series debuted on NBC in 2021 and while it received mixed reviews from critics, audiences continued to tune in episode after episode, granting not only a second season renewal but a third one, as well.

Created by David Appelbaum, La Brea has become a staple in NBC’s TV lineup and we’re all on the edge of our seats waiting for the answers to some of our most burning questions. It’s been almost five months since La Brea season 2 came to a close, and those of you hoping to see the sci-fi drama return this year are likely looking for any updates regarding the release date and more.

Unfortunately, we know the third season is not coming out in 2023, but we do have other updates to share with you all. Here’s everything we know about La Brea season 3.

La Brea season 3 is the final season, coming in January 2024

Fans of the show didn’t have to wait long for the third season renewal, with the big news coming out before the second season even concluded! That’s right, NBC gave the series the green light in January 2023, and at the time, according to Deadline, the second season was averaging 3.6M viewers. The show has certainly been a hit for NBC so we’re not surprised it’s going to continue.

While Season 3 was expected to premiere in the fall of 2023, that did not happen. And now after months of waiting, the third installment does have a release date. La Brea season 3 premieres Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Episodes will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.

And while we got the good news of the release date, it’s very bittersweet. That’s because NBC has announced that La Brea season 3 will be the final season of the series. The inaugural season of La Brea saw 10 episodes, while season 2 had 14. The farewell season will have a total of six episodes.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, all six have “largely been completed” and are ready to air. We knew six episodes were happening months ago, and that’s when some publications were speculating that fewer episodes could mean a final season. And they were right.

So what can we expect to see in the next chapter? In an interview with SYFY Wire, Appelbaum dished about what we can expect from La Brea season 3, without giving away any spoilers, of course:

"At its core, the show continues to be about this divided family trying to get back together and make it home. That’s really always at the center of the show, and that will continue to be there. But it’s also a show about survival, and can we survive in this inhospitable place of 10,000 B.C."

Cast: Who’s returning in the new season?

Fortunately, we are expecting most of the La Brea cast to return for the third season, which includes but is not limited to:

• Natalie Zea as Eve Harris
• Zyra Gorecki as Izzy Harris
• Eoin Macken as Gavin Harris
• Jack Martin as Josh Harris
• Nicholas Gonzalez as Levi Delgado
• Chiké Okonkwo as Ty Coleman
• Lily Santiago as Veronica Castillo
• Michelle Vergara Moore as Ella Jones
• Tonantzin Carmelo as Paara
• Jon Seda as Dr. Sam Velez
• Veronica St. Clair as Riley Velez
• Rohan Mirchandaney as Scott Israni
• Josh McKenzie as Lucas Hayes
• Emily Wiseman (new character)

In June 2023, we got some casting news, with TV Line reporting that Emily Wiseman has joined the third season as a guest star. At this time, we don’t know who Wiseman is playing yet.

Writers no longer on strike, actors strike over following tentative agreement

In case you missed it, the Writers Guild Association (WGA) went on strike May 2, 2023. This meant any writers’ rooms for upcoming seasons with contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) were placed on hold. On Sept. 24, 2023, more than four months of productions being halted, the guild and AMPTP were able to come to a tentative agreement. Thankfully, the guild voted and agreed on the new contract and many writers got back to work the week of Oct. 2.

Starting on July 14, 2023, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), went on strike. This meant that the stars of shows could not work during this time. However on Nov. 9, 2023, the actors strike came to an end following a tentative agreement between the guild and AMPTP. Members still need to vote on it. However, the strike itself is over which means actors can get back to work.

Is season 3 done filming?

So how does all of this affect La Brea season 3? The third season was affected in the fact that it should have been a part of the fall 2023 schedule. But, there’s still good news! When Appelbaum spoke with SYFY Wire in March, it was reported that development on the new season had already been well underway, with episodes being written. It was believed that filming would begin soon after, with Variety reporting that they’d be shooting in Queensland, Australia.

And in June, actress Zyra Gorecki took to Instagram to confirm filming on La Brea season 3 had wrapped, sharing a series of fun photos showing actor Eoin Macken pouring champagne over her head.

Considering all of this, the writers and actors strike hasn’t directly impacted La Brea season 3, however it looks like NBC delayed it so they have content to air in 2024. Many of the network’s other scripted shows are facing significant delays, so holding La Brea season 3 until they really need it is their apparent course of action. Of course this is disappointing for us fans who have been waiting for the new season. But, at least we can relax knowing January is just right around the corner!

We’ll keep you all updated once we hear more information about La Brea season 3 on NBC!