The Last of Us Season 2's Abby, Kaitlyn Dever, Says It's 'Hard Not to See Those Things on the Internet'

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, cast as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, acknowledges the challenge of ignoring online reactions to her portrayal. The character of Abby has been the target of significant online toxicity, with harassment directed at Naughty Dog employees, including Neil Druckmann and Laura Bailey, extending to threats and abuse against Bailey's family. This negative response even prompted HBO to provide Dever with additional security during filming. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hatred towards a fictional character, emphasizing that Abby is not a real person.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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In a ScreenRant interview, Dever addressed the anticipation surrounding her performance. She admitted the difficulty of avoiding online commentary, stating her desire to do the character justice and make fans proud. However, she prioritized collaboration with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, focusing on understanding Abby's core motivations, emotional state, and the complexities of her anger, frustration, and grief.

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Neil Druckmann recently explained that the HBO adaptation will differ from the game's depiction of Abby's physique. The showrunners emphasized that Dever's physical build wasn't a priority, as Abby's role in the series doesn't necessitate mirroring the game's mechanics. Druckmann highlighted Dever's exceptional suitability for the role, noting that the game required distinct portrayals of Ellie and Abby, with Abby's physicality serving a different purpose in the game's gameplay than in the show's narrative focus on drama. Mazin further elaborated, suggesting an opportunity to explore a more physically vulnerable yet spiritually stronger Abby, focusing on the origins and manifestations of her formidable nature.

The comment about "now and later" hints at HBO's intention to adapt The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season, unlike Season 1's adaptation of the first game. Mazin previously indicated the extensive story material in Part 2, and while Season 3 isn't confirmed, Season 2 has been structured with a natural conclusion after seven episodes.