The gaming community is buzzing with excitement and speculation following a recent announcement from Kaitlyn Dever, the actress who brought Nathan Drake’s daughter, Cassie Drake, to life in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. As of March 17, 2025, Dever has revealed via posts on X that she is collaborating once again with Naughty Dog, the acclaimed studio behind the Uncharted series, on an unannounced game project. This revelation, which surfaced just days ago around March 13-14, has ignited fervent discussion among fans, many of whom are presuming this could be Uncharted 5—albeit with a twist: a potential shift away from the franchise’s iconic protagonist, Nathan Drake. With no official word from Naughty Dog yet, the news has opened the floodgates to theories about the future of this beloved series.

Dever’s initial foray into the Uncharted universe came in 2016, when she voiced and performed motion capture for Cassie Drake in the epilogue of Uncharted 4. The game, widely regarded as Nathan Drake’s swan song, concluded with a heartfelt glimpse into his life years after his treasure-hunting days, introducing players to his daughter Cassie as a curious teenager exploring her family’s adventurous legacy. Though her role was brief, it left a lasting mark, hinting at a possible torch-passing moment for the franchise. Now, nearly a decade later, Dever’s return to Naughty Dog has fans wondering if Cassie could step into the spotlight, potentially leading a new chapter in the Uncharted saga without her father as the central figure.

Naughty Dog has a storied reputation for crafting cinematic, character-driven experiences, with Uncharted standing as one of PlayStation’s flagship franchises since its debut in 2007. The series followed Nathan Drake, voiced by Nolan North, through four mainline games, culminating in Uncharted 4, which many hailed as a perfect ending. The 2017 standalone title Uncharted: The Lost Legacy shifted focus to Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross, proving the franchise could thrive without Nathan. Yet, co-president Neil Druckmann’s past comments about the studio moving on from Uncharted have left its future uncertain—until now. Dever’s announcement suggests Naughty Dog might be revisiting the universe, and the absence of Nathan Drake in the presumed Uncharted 5 speculation has only heightened the intrigue.

Posts on X from users like @GodofPs5 and @DigitaleAnimeEN highlight the timing of Dever’s reveal, sparking theories that this unannounced game could center on Cassie Drake. The Uncharted 4 epilogue portrayed her as a spirited young woman with a knack for discovery, traits inherited from her parents, Nathan and Elena Fisher. A game featuring Cassie as the protagonist could explore her coming of age as an adventurer, perhaps years after the events of Uncharted 4, set in the mid-2030s. Fans envision her uncovering new mysteries, possibly with guidance from familiar faces like her uncle Sam Drake or Victor “Sully” Sullivan, while forging her own path distinct from her father’s legacy.

Dever’s growing prominence in the entertainment industry adds further excitement to the project. Since Uncharted 4, she has starred in films like Booksmart and taken on the challenging role of Abby in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, set to premiere later in 2025. Her experience with Naughty Dog and her proven acting chops make her a compelling choice to lead a major game. If this unannounced title is indeed Uncharted 5, a Cassie-led story could offer a fresh perspective, blending the series’ signature action and exploration with a new emotional core—something Naughty Dog excelled at in The Last of Us.

However, the lack of confirmation from Naughty Dog leaves room for doubt. The studio has been focused on The Last of Us multiplayer project and other unannounced endeavors, leading some to speculate that Dever’s collaboration might not be Uncharted-related at all. Still, the timing aligns with recent fan discussions on platforms like Reddit, where players have expressed a desire for Cassie to take the reins, especially as Uncharted 4 approaches its tenth anniversary in 2026. A 2025 announcement with a 2026 or 2027 release could capitalize on this milestone, offering a next-gen evolution of the franchise on PlayStation 5.

Whether this game is Uncharted 5 or an entirely new IP, Dever’s involvement signals Naughty Dog’s intent to push boundaries. A Nathan-less Uncharted would be a bold move, but not unprecedented given The Lost Legacy’s success. For now, fans are left to speculate, fueled by Dever’s cryptic tease and the enduring allure of the Uncharted world. As the gaming landscape evolves, this collaboration could redefine what the series means—or introduce something entirely unexpected. Either way, the prospect of Kaitlyn Dever and Naughty Dog teaming up again has set the stage for a thrilling reveal, whenever it may come.