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 additional security measures. As Isabel Merced (Dina) noted, the online vitriol is directed at a fictional character: "There are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder: not a real person."

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

3 Images

In a ScreenRant interview, Dever discussed the anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Abby. She admitted to occasionally checking online responses, stating, "It's hard not to stop myself from looking at it every once in a while… And I want to do this character justice and make the fans proud." However, she emphasized her focus on collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to understand Abby's core motivations, anger, frustration, grief, and emotional state.

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

11 Images

Neil Druckmann explained to Entertainment Weekly that the HBO adaptation deviates from the game's portrayal of Abby's physique. Dever didn't need to undergo a significant physical transformation because the show prioritizes drama over the moment-to-moment violent action central to the game's mechanics. Druckmann highlighted the casting of Dever as a significant achievement, stating, "We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role." He further explained that the game required distinct physicality for Ellie and Abby, a distinction less crucial in the show's narrative. Craig Mazin added that the show explores Abby's "formidable nature" through a different lens, focusing on her inner strength rather than solely her physical prowess.

The comment about "now and later" hints at HBO's intention to adapt The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season. While Season 3 isn't confirmed, Mazin previously indicated that Part 2 has ample story material. Season 2, comprising seven episodes, is structured with a "natural breakpoint," suggesting future installments.