Nolan North Says He Would "Absolutely" Return for a New Uncharted Game

Nolan North has made it clear that he would be ready to return as Nathan Drake should Sony decide to make another Uncharted game. Speaking during a Gamergy panel in Puerto Rico in late August, the actor behind PlayStation's globe-trotting treasure hunter said he would "110 percent" reprise the role, describing a potential comeback as a massive opportunity for the series and for gaming more broadly.

North's enthusiasm arrives while renewed speculation continues around the future of Uncharted. He did not indicate that he has inside knowledge of a new project, and specifically said he has not heard anything. Still, his comments underline the scale of the dormant franchise and the enduring interest in Nathan Drake, whose last major starring role came in 2016's Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.

North remains eager to play Nathan Drake

Asked whether he would consider coming back if a new game called for Nathan Drake, North did not leave much room for ambiguity. He said he would "absolutely" do it, adding that a new entry could be "one of the biggest games ever" if Sony chose to pursue it.

The actor also framed the decision in straightforward commercial terms, joking that it depends on whether Sony wants to make money. Behind the joke is a reasonable observation about the series' profile. Uncharted remains one of PlayStation's most recognizable action-adventure properties, blending cinematic set pieces, historical mysteries, climbing, gunfights, puzzles, and character-driven banter into a format that helped define the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 eras.

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North returned to the point later in the panel, saying he tries to stay in shape "just in case." While that should not be read as confirmation of a game, it reflects both his fondness for the role and his belief that the door has not necessarily closed on Drake. He said he continues to hope for another opportunity despite not having received any information about one.

North said he has not heard anything about a new game, but believes an announcement involving a Nathan Drake-led return would be among the biggest in gaming.

A series with a major legacy

The original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune launched on PlayStation 3 in 2007, introducing Drake as a charismatic adventurer whose exploits drew inspiration from pulp serials and blockbuster treasure-hunting films. Naughty Dog subsequently built it into one of Sony's signature series through Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.

Across those games, North's performance became inseparable from the character. Drake is not simply a fearless action hero; the role depends on quick jokes, moments of panic, emotional vulnerability, and the sense that he is improvising his way through disasters he may have caused himself. That voice and personality helped the character stand apart in a crowded genre.

Uncharted 4 was positioned as a major conclusion for Drake's story. It dealt directly with his relationship with Elena Fisher, his brother Sam, and the tension between family life and the urge to chase another impossible adventure. The game's ending gave the character a measure of closure, which makes any direct follow-up a more delicate proposition than simply sending him on another expedition.

That does not mean a new game could not feature him. A sequel could place Drake in a supporting role, explore a different stage of his life, or find another approach that preserves the finality of A Thief's End while retaining a connection to the original lead. The series has already shown it can shift perspective: 2017's Uncharted: The Lost Legacy placed Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross at the center of its story rather than Nathan.

Rumors point to a possible return, but nothing is confirmed

North's panel appearance took place before more recent claims that a new Uncharted game may be in development at Naughty Dog. Those claims have suggested that Nathan Drake could be involved in some capacity and that the project would be a new installment rather than a remake. None of that has been officially announced, so fans should treat the reports as unconfirmed.

The distinction matters. A remake, remaster, sequel, prequel, spin-off, or reboot would each carry very different implications for Drake and for the wider cast. The franchise has an extensive history to revisit, but it also has an ending that many players view as satisfying. A new release would need to make a persuasive case for returning rather than relying only on nostalgia.

If the reports are accurate, the timing may still be far off. The same claims place any new Uncharted project after Naughty Dog's Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. That game was first revealed at The Game Awards in 2024, and it has been confirmed that its proper reveal is expected at some point next year. With Naughty Dog's projects typically requiring lengthy development cycles, there is no basis for expecting a near-term Uncharted announcement or launch.

Why another Uncharted would be such a significant event

North's view that a new game would be an enormous announcement is not difficult to understand. The franchise sits at the intersection of several audiences: longtime PlayStation players who followed Drake from the PlayStation 3 days, fans of cinematic single-player action games, and newer PC players introduced to the series through Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection.

It also carries an identity that remains easy to recognize. The collapsing buildings, impossible escapes, ancient traps, artifact hunts, and warm ensemble chemistry have given Uncharted a clear personality. In an industry where familiar names are often revived, the series has enough history to command immediate attention while still leaving room for a fresh setting, new playable heroes, and modern technical ambitions.

A return would also invite questions over how PlayStation wants to handle its established single-player catalog. The company has continued to invest in major narrative-driven games, while expanding parts of its catalog to PC. A new Uncharted would therefore be more than another sequel: it would be a statement about where one of PlayStation's defining cinematic properties fits into its future release strategy.

The challenge of bringing Drake back

For all the excitement surrounding the idea, a Nathan Drake return would face a creative challenge. Uncharted 4 did not merely pause the story. It deliberately explored the cost of adventure and appeared to give Drake a more settled future. Bringing him back as the full-time protagonist would require a story strong enough to justify disrupting that resolution.

There are several directions a new game could take without erasing what came before. Drake could be a mentor or partner to a new lead. A story set earlier in the timeline could revisit a younger version of the character, although that would introduce its own continuity questions. Alternatively, Naughty Dog could broaden the universe around returning figures such as Chloe, Nadine, Sam, or Cassie Drake.

North's willingness to participate removes at least one potential obstacle if the series does revisit Nathan. His performance has been crucial to the character's appeal, and his comments suggest he would approach another installment with the same energy he has shown for the franchise over the years. But willingness from a performer is different from a greenlit production, and there is no announced new Uncharted game at this time.

For now, it is hope rather than confirmation

The most concrete takeaway from North's remarks is simple: if Sony and Naughty Dog decide to make another Nathan Drake story, he wants in. He believes the public response could be extraordinary, and the continued discussion around the property suggests many fans would agree.

Until PlayStation or Naughty Dog makes an official announcement, however, the future of Uncharted remains uncertain. Rumors, actor enthusiasm, and the series' commercial legacy all make it a compelling possibility, but they do not establish what form a new game might take--or whether it will happen at all. For now, Drake's next adventure remains an open map with no confirmed destination.