Neil Druckmann: Abby's Bulk Not Needed for HBO's 'The Last of Us' Season 2

The HBO adaptation of *The Last of Us Part 2* will not feature Abby as a muscly character, as her role in Season 2 doesn't need to emulate certain video game mechanics, according to showrunner and Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann. Druckmann, along with fellow showrunner Craig Mazin, explained to Entertainment Weekly that actress Kaitlyn Dever did not need to bulk up for the role because Abby's mechanical distinction from Ellie is not necessary in the TV series format.

"We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role," Druckmann said. "In the game, you have to play both [Ellie and Abby] and we need them to play differently. We needed Ellie to feel smaller and kind of maneuver around, and Abby was meant to play more like Joel in that she's almost like a brute in the way she can physically manhandle certain things. That doesn't play as big of a role in this version of the story because there's not as much violent action moment to moment. It's more about the drama. I'm not saying there's no action here. It's just, again, different priorities and how you approach it."

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Mazin added, "I personally think there is an amazing opportunity here to delve into someone who is perhaps physically more vulnerable than the Abby in the game, but whose spirit is stronger. And then the question is: 'Where does her formidable nature come from and how does it manifest?' That's something that will be explored now and later."

The "now and later" comment likely refers to HBO's plans to extend *The Last of Us Part 2* beyond a single season, unlike the critically acclaimed Season 1, which covered the entirety of the original game. Mazin has previously mentioned that Part 2 contains a lot more story to cover, and while Season 3 isn't greenlit yet, they've structured Season 2 with a "natural breakpoint" after just seven episodes.

The character of Abby has been a focal point of significant toxicity, with some fans expressing their frustration at her fictional actions by harassing Naughty Dog employees, including Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey. This harassment included threats and abuse targeting Bailey, her parents, and her two-year-old son.

HBO was cautious about this reception while filming Season 2, as Dever was provided with extra security due to the potential for escalated action. "There's so many strange people in this world because there are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder: not a real person," said actress Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in Season 2.