The Last of Us’ installment this week focuses on new characters, Bill and Frank, and we reveal what disease Frank has in episode 3.
Nick Offerman also stars in the third installment alongside Bartlett, playing partner, Bill, who both play out an emotional story together in the series.
Created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO and based on the 2013 video game of the same name by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us series follows smuggler Joel who must escort teenager Ellie across a post-apocalyptic America ridden with infected creatures.
What disease does Frank have in The Last of Us episode 3?
Frank’s disease is confirmed to be multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as stated by the show’s co-creator, Craig Mazin, on HBO’s official podcast for The Last of Us.
After fans were trying to determine what condition Frank was suffering from, Mazin wanted to clear the air:
“We didn’t necessarily want to specify [the illness] for the audience, it was either MS or early ALS but it was a degenerative neuromuscular disorder. We thought it was really interesting to think, ‘Look, Bill is older and Frank can literally run circles around him, he’s healthier,’ and then we jump ahead a number of years and it’s Frank who’s been brought low by this disease and there’s nothing they can do about it.”
As Frank’s disease was not specified, many previously believed the character had Parkinson’s disease – a condition that affects part of the brain and stops the body from producing enough dopamine. Primary symptoms also included spontaneous body shakes or tremors, movement restriction, stiff joints, and insomnia.
Frank’s condition is another reminder that the Cordyceps virus is not the only threat active in the world of The Last of Us.

Meet actor Murray Bartlett
Australian actor Murray Bartlett began his credited acting career back in the early 90’s, when he starred in popular soaps Home and Away and Neighbours.
The actor is known for his roles as Armond in The White Lotus, and Nick De Noia in Welcome to Chippendales, alongside a small role he fulfilled in season 4 of Sex and the City, which served as the actor’s American debut.
Bartlett currently lives with his partner, Matt, and their border collie rescue named Bo in Provincetown, Massachusetts, as confirmed by Bustle.
- AGES EXPLAINED: How old is Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us?
How many episodes are in The Last of Us?
The Last of Us is confirmed to have nine episodes within its debut season on HBO and HBO Max, with each installment released on Sundays.
HBO’s release schedule confirms that the season finale is scheduled to take place on March 12, 2023.
The Last of Us episode guide and release schedule lets you know when every episode airs, along with titles as they are announced, and episode 4 is scheduled to release on February 5, 2023.

By Jo Craig – [email protected]
The Last of Us is now showing on HBO and HBO Max.
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