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 difficulty 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. HBO took this into account during filming, providing Dever with extra security. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hate towards a fictional character, reminding everyone that Abby is not a real person.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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In a ScreenRant interview, Dever discussed the anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Abby. She admitted to occasionally checking online reactions, emphasizing her desire to do the character justice and make fans proud. However, her primary focus remained on collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to understand Abby's core motivations, emotional state, and the complexities of her anger, frustration, and grief.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?

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Neil Druckmann revealed that the HBO adaptation will not feature Abby as a physically imposing character as in the game. This decision, explained in an Entertainment Weekly interview, stems from the differing priorities of the game's mechanics versus the show's focus on drama. Druckmann highlighted the casting of Dever as a stroke of luck, noting that the game required Ellie and Abby to feel distinctly different mechanically, a requirement less crucial in the show's adaptation. Craig Mazin added that the series explores a more vulnerable, yet spiritually stronger Abby, focusing on the origins and manifestations of her formidable nature.

The mention of "now and later" hints at HBO's intention to adapt The Last of Us Part II beyond a single season. Mazin previously stated that Part II contains substantial story material. While Season 3 isn't confirmed, Season 2 is structured with a natural breakpoint after seven episodes.